Bobcat Bucket List #54

Bobcat Bucket List #54: Watch the Soap Box Derby

Texas State’s annual Soap Box Derby is the University’s longest standing tradition that started in 1967. Crowds gather behind hay bales to watch students race their homemade cars to the finish line.

Since the cars can’t have motors, they’re launched from a tall, wooden ramp and barrel down the hill as fast as they’ll go. The cars can have brakes, but as a last resort they’ll stop by hitting the stack of hay bales at the end of the race track.

Usually organizations, sororities, and fraternities build cars to race, but individuals can enter as well. One person must ride inside the car with a helmet on for safety.

This race happens yearly during Homecoming week. To learn more and enter, visit Texas State’s website here.