AKRON, Ohio — Just three days shy of turning 12, Julie McCoy of Cuyahoga Falls had a letter published in the Akron Beacon Journal.
The date was August 6, 1950 and her reason for writing was simple: a Soap Box Derby should be held for girls, since girls weren’t allowed to race in the regular derby.
“Boys always get to do things that the girls don’t and I would like to show them that the girls know a thing or two,” her letter read. “I would like to have this matter discussed before you again say no.”
A separate derby for girls never came to fruition, and girls weren’t permitted to race alongside boys in the All-American Soap Box Derby until 1971. By that historic date, Julie had aged out of any chance to build or drive a derby car.
But this week during Senior Day at Derby Downs, Julie finally will have an opportunity to drive down the famous 989-foot track. On the same day, she and her husband, Kennon Callahan, will celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary.
Linda Thomas (seated) her sister, Brenda Speas (right) and Brenda’s sister-in-law, Karen Speas, raced at Derby Downs on Senior Day 2021. (Jennifer Conn/Spectrum News)
The Callahans will be among hundreds of senior racers who drive down the hill that day — some who raced competitively as kids, derby officials said.
The organization has hosted Senior Day since 2013, offering anyone 50 or older to take a spin down the famous slope in an adult Soap Box Derby car.
“It is one of our favorite events of the year to see the smile on the face of those returning and also those attending for the first time,” Soap Box Derby President and CEO Mark Gerberich said in a statement.
Besides a chance to drive on the famous track, the Senior Day event includes entertainment, lunch catered by City Barbeque, and Aging on Track Senior Expo, a health and wellness expo in the Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame and Museum.
Last year, more than 300 seniors participated in the event, the derby said.
The annual Senior Day runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, August 11 at Derby Downs, 789 Derby Downs Drive in Akron. Registration is open now and tickets can be purchased online.
For more information, call 330-733-8723, ext. 13 or send an email to events@soapboxderby.org.
Senior Day includes lunch, entertainment and a health and wellness expo in the Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame and Museum. (Jennifer Conn/Spectrum News)
