Nearly 50 children felt the wind on their face and the rumble of their tires as they raced down the Mill St. hill in Bloomfield this weekend as the Hallowell and Bloomfield Recreation Committee hosted its annual soap box derby race Saturday.

Organizers estimate the 2018 edition featured an increase in participants over the past few years and a good time was had by all the mini-racers.

Especially some first and second time competitors who have become accustomed to the Mill St. Track.

“We noticed there was a lot of younger participants this year and that’s great news for future events,” Bloomfield councillor and rec committee member Barry Turpin told the Gazette. “It’s always a thrilling day for both the kids and the parents.”

For close to two decades the soap box derby has been a fixture in the village and the event continues to draw children and their families from near and wide.

“There was a family with three children that just happened to show up in Bloomfield the day of last years race,” Turpin explained. “They came back this year and they based their vacation in Prince Edward County around the Bloomfield Soap Box Derby.”

Times were scalding on Saturday as most of the drivers managed to navigate the steep, undulating surface during time trials.

Failing good times, every racer at least had a smile and good time navigating to the bottom of the course.

Top finishers included:

Age 5-7:

Will Prinzen and Benjamin Runions (1^st)

Justin Lupili (2^nd)

Blake Rice (3^rd)

Age 8:

Ava Cronk (1^st)

Rebeckah Peeling (2^nd)

Malcolm Arthur (3^rd)

Age 9-12:

Colton Knock (1^st)

Reese Rowbotham (2^nd)

Anthony Cronk (3^rd)