ASHLAND — The relocation of Ashland’s Summer Motion to Central Park this year has caused the temporary absence of two popular Summer Motion staples, the All-American Soap Box Derby and the Independence Day Parade.
Both events are expected to return to Summer Motion but were canceled this year in part because of the relocation of the event from Ashland’s riverfront and economic restraints.
Summer Motion volunteer Paula Mayo said the parade was canceled because of logistical concerns about relocating spectators from the park to the downtown streets for the parade and then to the limited viewing area for the fireworks.
“It should be back, hopefully, next year when we have a little bit more time and the days will be different,” she said.
Mayo said the public has been very understanding.
“We have had just a few calls. Most people understand. They say they’ll just be in the Christmas Parade,” she said.
Despite the parade’s cancellation, the Shine and Show event featuring emergency response vehicles from across the area will still be in Central Park along Central Avenue between 18th and 20th streets on Saturday, she said.
Summer Motion President Chuck Charles said the Soap Box Derby was eliminated in part because of financial reasons and for the purposes of revamping the event.
“We just want to revamp it to try to gain some interest in it,” Charles said.
He said the event had faltered in recent years. Although different children were driving the cars, the same vehicles were being recycled year after year.
For that reason the event didn’t pass this year’s cost analysis test. Summer Motion has to pay large fees to the American Soap Box Derby to sanction its race, he said.
Charles said he would like to see the event return to its original mission of being a family-oriented activity. He said he would like to see more recruiting efforts in schools and more children building cars again with their parents.
“I’m looking for someone to oversee the Soap Box Derby,” Charles said. “We need someone who has those connections in the school to do a really great job with it. We’ve got a good setup as far as a great race but we need a driving force behind it.”
CARRIE STAMBAUGH can be reached at cstambaugh@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.
Local News
Some Summer Motion events missing
Parade, Soap Box derby on hiatus this year
- Local News
-
-
TIM PRESTON: Karats, peaches, wings and brews, old couches and new beauty
Weekly business column from Tim Preston.
-
Come on in!
It’s time to grab a towel, some sunscreen and your shades — pools in the Tri-State are nearing their opening dates and are bound to provide some days of fun this summer.
-
Pooches take to the street in Dog Jog
They were running with the big dogs Saturday in Grayson.
-
A Smith Branch Legacy
Six generations of Robinsons have called Smith Branch home.
-
Court battle heating up over stretch of blacktop
The court fight is just heating up over a block-long stretch of blacktop in Grayson.
More parties are piling on in the lawsuit accusing Grayson of passing an illegal ordinance to take ownership of the pavement. -
Regional jails ‘a total failure’
As the debate over a proposal to create a new Northeast Regional Jail Authority continues, some officials with the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville are watching closely.
-
Beshear in West Liberty to help in tornado recovery
State legislatures and Gov. Steve Beshear gathered in West Liberty on Friday to sign three bills that will help in the recovery efforts of the tornado-stricken town.
-
Students get more than a scoop’s share
There’s nothing more refreshing than ice cream on a hot day, and no one knows that better than the principal of Hager Elementary School in Ashland.
-
2 school aides part of drug arrests
Two elementary school aides and three other people were arrested Thursday in a Carter County drug investigation.
-
5K run main attraction for Final Friday in Greenup
Greenup’s Final Friday included the usual live entertainment and car show, but a 5K run also attracted many to town Friday evening.
- More Local News Headlines
-
TIM PRESTON: Karats, peaches, wings and brews, old couches and new beauty
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
