by Rebecca Hannant
Hornsea will see its first soapbox derby take place this weekend.
As 2023 celebrates the Year of the Coast – a national campaign to promote coastal events – the Hornsea Carnival committee has stepped up to the challenge and is doing its bit to put the town on the map.
So far 15 teams have entered the derby which will take place on Saturday, April 1. Throughout the evening of March 31 and the full day on April 1, the town will host a range of entertainment from rides, stalls and musical performances for the whole family to enjoy. The event will be free to attend.
Teams competing must attend the pre- registration event on Friday from 4pm. This build-up will include live music, hot food and rides while the Carnival team sorts all the administration, including getting waivers signed and assigning each team race slots and a team number.
Cinema Street car park will be closed from 8am on Friday to allow for the setup of the marquee and traders ahead of the registration evening. Live music will include a student band from Hornsea School and Language College, with the Herring Gulls covering some sets.
Saturday – race day – has been organised with the Hornsea Collective to coincide with its shopping event at Hornsea Town Hall, which will be full of independent small businesses.
The 150m race takes place from Westbourne Road across Cliff Road and into Hall Garth Park with road closures in place from 6am to allow for the event. The track is expected to be set up for 8am, although it does not include any jumps.
Teams should arrive with their carts for inspection at 8am before the drivers are walked through the track at 9.30am ahead of the first race at 10am.
Throughout the competition, each soapbox will be judged on the following:
Style/creativity: points out of 25.
Pre-start performance: points out of 25.
Distance covered: points out of 20.
Time of run: points out of 20.
Comedy: points out of 10.
The last race is expected to take place between 2.30pm to 3pm.
Staging will be at the rear half of Westbourne Road, and Cliff Road will be used for the Hot Rods, food and spectators. Spectators will also be able to view from inside the park.
The awards presentations will then take place from 5.30pm, with the first band on at 6.30pm. The Saturday evening entertainment will include the bands Midnight Special and Atlantic 45.
Hornsea Carnival chairman Iain Poole said: “As with all Hornsea Carnival events, this is all about community engagement and bringing people together for a fun-filled experience. Our events are a great way to meet new people and spend time with your loved ones.”
Volunteers will also be welcomed by the Carnival committee to help at the event, including with cleaning the track down at 4pm on race day before the road is reopened.
Iain added: “Volunteers will help enable events like this to take place in the town as without them it is not doable. There will also be lots of straw bales available following the event – donations for these are welcome.”
For more information, contact [email protected] or visit the Hornsea Carnival website.
PHOTO courtesy of BBC Radio Humberside
