By Tammy Whitaker,
Editor Lost Creek Sentinel
There are some events you plan because they’re part of the job — and then there are events that somehow work their way into your heart.
The 2026 Southeast Weld County Chamber of Commerce SoapBox Derby was definitely the latter.
After months of planning, organizing, building, measuring, coordinating and probably more than a few moments of wondering whether everything would actually come together, Saturday, September 26 arrived. And as the streets of Keenesburg began filling with racers, families, volunteers, businesses and spectators, I had one of those moments when I simply had to stop and take it all in.
We did it.
The excitement on the kids’ faces was worth every bit of work that went into the day. They arrived proudly showing off cars they had built with parents, grandparents, friends and mentors — each one as unique as the young person sitting behind the wheel.
Then came race time.
Watching those kids head down the straw-bale-lined track was pure joy. Some were intensely focused. Some were a little nervous. Others were grinning before they ever left the starting line. But almost every trip down the hill seemed to end the same way — with a smile.
And the crowd made it even better.
People cheered for their own racers, of course, but they also cheered for everybody else’s. That may have been one of my favorite parts of the entire day. For a few hours, it didn’t matter whose child was in the car. We were simply a community cheering on our kids.
The Derby was about much more than winning a race. It was about parents and children building something together. It was about creativity, imagination and learning that something doesn’t have to come out of a box already finished to be amazing. It was about local businesses stepping up — again and again — to support an event created for our families and our community.
And it was certainly about our volunteers.
I cannot say enough about the people who showed up, took responsibility for their piece of the event and made things happen. From racer check-in and track operations to vendors, judging, safety and all of those little jobs most people never see, our volunteers were incredible. Community events don’t happen because one person has an idea. They happen because a whole lot of people decide that idea is worth supporting.
The same is true of our business community. Sponsors, donors and Chamber members went above and beyond to help us create something special for these kids. Their generosity is a reminder that “supporting local” means much more than where we shop. It means investing in the experiences and memories that make a community feel like home.
I am tremendously grateful to our Chamber Board of Directors for their unwavering support of me and my efforts to make the Southeast Weld County Chamber the best that it can be. I am also tremendously grateful to the Town of Keenesburg, Keenesburg Police Department and Southeast Weld Fire Protection District for their support of this event. Their partnership helped us create an event where families could come together, relax, laugh, cheer and simply enjoy being part of this community.
There were trophies and medals. There were winners. There were some pretty spectacular Derby cars. And yes, there was a 2026 Grand Champion. His name is Robert McKeighan and he is from Wiggins, CO!
But when I look back on the day, those aren’t the things I will remember most.
I’ll remember the kids.
I’ll remember the cheering.
I’ll remember looking around and seeing neighbors talking with neighbors, businesses supporting families, volunteers helping one another and people genuinely enjoying being together.
Those are the moments that remind me why I love doing this work.
For everyone who raced, built, sponsored, volunteered, sold, served, cheered, organized, donated or simply showed up — thank you. You made the 2026 SoapBox Derby something very special.
The cars may have crossed the finish line, but I have a feeling the memories created that day will stick around for a very long time.
Built with HEART. Raced with PRIDE.
And I already can’t wait to say it again:
See you next year!
