MONTAGUE — The Montague Soapbox Derby will not return for 2025, due to members of the Soapbox Planning Committee not being available to plan the race this year.

According to Montague Parks & Recreation Director Jon Dobosz, the committee members decided to cancel the event, originally planned for June 1 at the Unity Park hill in Turners Falls, “as many of the remaining members have too many personal commitments, and it would not have been possible to address the various logistical issues to run a safe and enjoyable event with only three people.”

The Montague Soapbox Derby acts as a fundraiser for the Parks & Recreation Department’s scholarship fund, which supports families who need financial assistance to send their children to summer camp. Last year’s event raised $3,500, Dobosz said.

Over the last few years, Soapbox Planning Committee membership has dwindled due to a lack of availability for people to dedicate spare time to planning the race. Dobosz said the current committee — made up of himself, Mik Muller and Dan Burke — will reconvene in the fall to try to plan a race for summer 2026.

The decision to cancel was not only based on the availability of the committee members, but the ability to be “100% satisfied” that the advance planning and race setup would maintain racer safety.

One of the issues, Dobosz explained, related to access to hay bales that are used as barriers along the sides of the track. In the past, Dobosz said organizers have rented roughly 100 hay bales for use during the race that would then be returned, but amid a declining availability of hay bales and the cost involved in renting plastic race barriers, the cost of bringing the race to fruition would likely drain too much of the profits, leaving little left for the scholarships.

“The event essentially helps fund our scholarship program, and we’d be in the red if we were to get those plastic barriers,” Dobosz said.

Muller, who founded the race in 2010, said this race is a unique event to Montague and the state. To get this race going again, volunteers would need to step up to help.

“If we had another five people, it would be happening,” he said. “It’s a complicated event — it’s a massive effort.”

Those interested in bringing back the Montague Soapbox Derby in 2026 are welcome to join the planning committee, Dobosz and Muller said. Anyone who is interested can reach out to the Parks & Recreation Department by calling 413-863-3216.

“Come with your sleeves rolled up,” Muller urged, “and try to make it happen for town pride.”

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.