MONTAGUE — Though the Montague Soapbox Derby has struggled with a lack of participation in the past, this year’s event is going strong, with 17 racers already registered and coming from as far away as New Jersey.

Scheduled for Sunday, June 2, at noon, the race will take place at the Unity Park hill in Turners Falls, and will raise money for the Montague Parks & Recreation Department.

Anyone can participate, so long as they are over the age of 8, and the deadline to register is Wednesday, May 29, at 4 p.m. There are three categories for racers: a children’s division for those ages 8 to 12, a teen division for those ages 13 to 19, and an adult division for ages 20 and up. There is a $25 registration fee, regardless of division.

Organizer Mik Muller said the race brings a great sense of camaraderie.

“Every year, I’m just astounded at how friendly all the racers are to each other,” Muller said. “It’s all smiles. There’s nothing but creativity and positivity.”

Muller is hoping for more participation, and began to advertise earlier in the year to boost interest. He added he wants to encourage more towns to have soapbox races of their own. In fact, this year, visitors from Sidney Center, New York, who are considering having a fundraising race, are coming to the Montague event to shadow organizers.

“I’m trying to foster other races,” Muller said. He hopes to someday have enough races locally to create a circuit. “People can build their cart and race it in maybe three or four races throughout the summer, instead of just a one-off event. Then I think that will sort of, in its own way, bring the county together.”

Soapbox races involve customizing gravity-propelled carts, many of which boast outlandish designs or stark themes. All carts must be hand-built.

“I feel, with this simple derby, at such a low threshold of total cost of entry, you can literally throw something together from stuff you found in your garage or even at a Salvation Army or local hardware store,” Muller added. “Maybe all three. As such, the race is open to everyone with the will to build something to strap themselves into and roll down a hill.”

To register, visit montaguesoapboxraces.com/x/15/2024-Montague-Soapbox-RACER-Application.