For the third straight year, the hill at Unity Park is set to become a race track with the return of Montague’s annual Soapbox Derby on Sunday, Sept. 17.

Franklin County Soapbox racing returned from an eight-year hiatus in September 2021 with a lineup of more than 50 drivers between events in Greenfield and Montague. Now held solely in Montague, the go-karting event, which brought out 20 racers in 2022, currently has 10 racers registered in advance of the Sept. 13 registration deadline.

Soapbox races involve customizing gravity-propelled carts, many of which boast outlandish designs or stark themes. For Franklin County’s races, all carts must be hand-built and may be operated by “anyone from 8 to 80 years old,” according to Muller. Racers from across the region and beyond will converge at the Unity Park hill on First Street at noon on Sept. 17.

Muller made clear that participants from anywhere are welcome to participate in Montague’s race. One of the contestants coming from the farthest this year is Brian Ware, a racer from Montague, New Jersey, who registered for the race by accident.

“It was a mistake at first, but then he was like, ‘Wait, this is Montague, Massachusetts. Am I even allowed in this?’ And I said, ‘Absolutely, and bring all your friends,’” Muller recounted, noting that Ware registered his team name as “The Other Montague.”

“The popularity of the event, and the sport itself, is evident in the distances people will drive to race their carts,” Muller wrote in an email. “We’ve had racers come from as far away as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York State, and of course, Vermont and New Hampshire.”

Even those without the means to bring their own kart are encouraged to participate. Muller said he may be able to pair racers with karts owned by others opting not to race this year, and that those interested should contact him via montaguesoapboxraces.com.

The Montague Soapbox Derby is organized by the Montague Recreation Department, with money raised benefiting its programming and equipment budget. Muller has also observed that soapbox races indirectly support the local business economy.

“Most of these people came to town, stayed overnight, ate local fare and put on displays of ingenuity and daring-do for the onlookers,” he wrote.

Those interested in racing must register by Wednesday, Sept. 13th at 4 p.m. Registry will be capped at 60 racers and there will not be an option to register on the day of the race. To register or find more information, go to montaguesoapboxraces.com.

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.