Omaha families gathered at Seymour Smith Park on Saturday for the annual Monster Rally soapbox derby, a gravity‑only racing event that turns a simple hill into a weekend of friendly competition and community fellowship.
Local organizer emphasizes the family atmosphere
Event coordinator Amanda Roseland said the rally’s greatest strength is the network of families that has grown around the sport. “Soapbox is like a big family… a lot of us travel… we go between different cities that have races… stay at the same hotels… and we hang out in between races so it does become like a big community,” Roseland explained.
Kids and parents work side‑by‑side
While children design, build and pilot the small, wheeled cars, parents are deeply involved in every step. Cody Garcia, who drove six and a half hours from Ogallala, Nebraska, highlighted how the event differs from typical youth sports. “It’s not like your normal sport where you drop them off at practice and show up on game day… you’re working hand in hand with your kid,” he said.
Garcia added that the derby teaches confidence and a healthy dose of competition while allowing families to spend quality time together. “It’s great for the kids, they get to learn confidence at a young age. And a little competitiveness… while spending time together,” he noted.
Community impact and future growth
The Monster Rally attracts participants from multiple states, reinforcing regional ties and supporting local businesses. Hotels, restaurants and shops near the park see increased patronage during the weekend, and the event’s volunteers often return year after year, strengthening the volunteer base for future rallies.
Organizers plan to expand the rally next year, adding more age divisions and offering workshops on basic engineering principles to further engage young builders. The goal is to keep the event accessible, affordable and rooted in the shared values of family, faith and personal responsibility that define the Omaha community.
How to get involved
Families interested in joining the next Monster Rally can register through the event website, which provides guidelines for car specifications, safety checks and race day schedules. Local schools are also encouraged to partner with the rally, offering students a hands‑on STEM experience that aligns with classroom learning.
As the sun set over Seymour Smith Park, the sound of cheering spectators and the squeal of wheels on the track underscored a simple truth: when families come together to support one another, even a modest hill can become a stage for lasting memories and community pride.
Original reporting: KMTV 3 News Now (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
