Portland’s Mt. Tabor Park was the scene of arts, crafts and a little bit of chaos Saturday for the annual PDX Adult Soapbox Derby. Thousands lined the extinct volcanic butte to watch elaborate vehicles from 42 teams compete in one of the city’s more unusual races. Each team fielded two or three riders and at least one pusher to get their soapbox moving.

Small, motorless carts, some built for speed and others for style, flew past spectators, powered only by gravity and makeshift steering wheels. Some racers reached speeds of up to 50 mph.

Competitors risked life and limb hauling their engineering marvels through a looping track lined with large Douglas fir trees, bright-orange cones and miniature hay bales. Prizes included “crowd favorite,” “road warrior” and “lame duck.”

Inspired by an illegal punk-filled dash held in San Francisco in the ’90s, and by youth races popularized in the 20th century, Portland’s soapbox derby has taken place in some shape or form for nearly 30 years. It is funded by donations and sponsors, and staffed by a small army of volunteers.

The 2026 soapbox cars included prairie schooners, oversized shopping carts, a giant Nike ankle sock and more.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/08/16/arts-crafts-and-chaos-intersect-at-pdx-adult-soapbox-derby-in-portland/