DAYS TO REMEMBER

[Music] foreign [Applause] [Music] uh [Music] now [Music] this is waterbury connecticut one of the oldest towns in new england today waterbury is a busy manufacturing and cultural center proud of being known as the city where things are happening at this very moment while the children are playing down by the old horse fountain on the green things really are happening out on interstate highway 84 just outside town there at the local chevrolet dealership nearly 300 boys between 11 and 15 years old are lined up to register for one of the biggest events in the long history of waterbury for the first time in many years the soapbox derby has come to waterbury connecticut [Music] they told us being in the derby would be just about the most exciting thing that ever happened to boys our age but i never expected such a mob seems like just about everyone i know is here to sign up the huge number of boys who register for the waterbury soapbox derby shows clearly what can happen in a community when someone gets a good idea and then carries it through it all started when the general sales manager of the chevrolet dealership convinced his boss that the boys of waterbury would benefit from having a soapbox derby he knew the town already had an active program for boys the new half million dollar boys club was good evidence of that so were the flourishing ymca activities and other sports programs but he also knew that the derby is something more it supplements other youth activities helps bring youngsters and adults closer together provide significant rewards for everybody who takes part of course putting on a soapbox derby is not an easy job and it's soon evident that the community leaders of waterbury are willing to help the mayor and officials of the police department the publisher of the newspaper and heads of civic groups presidents of big manufacturing companies and smaller business organizations leaders of labor groups they all want to pitch in to make the soapbox derby an event the boys of their community will never forget soon everyone in the town is caught up in the derby spirit and the boys get encouragement from all sides as they start to build their [Music] racers garage owners around the city make themselves available to boys who need technical advice [Music] the telephone company even sets up an answering service to record any questions the boys might have the solution can you use nails when you build the eraser sir does the music go faster if it's heavier or if it's lighter how do i make the break work right i made a mistake what do i do now every question is taken by derby inspectors and they spend many hours of their own time helping boys find the right answers other businesses and groups in the community help out too by serving as sponsors for the boys from small businesses right on up to the largest manufacturing companies they all want a chance to be a part of the soapbox derby the sponsors stick right with the boys while the racers are being built and then they let the whole town of waterbury know what a good job their boys have done finally the big race weekend arrives and the boys ride right through the heart of downtown waterbury in the big soapbox derby parade [Music] then there's the big day itself race day and there's no question about it by now the whole town has caught derby fever golly you could never forget a day like this looks like everybody has turned out to watch us race it's a little scary at first just thinking about going down that hill in front of all those people but as soon as we see the mayor and the police superintendent start down in those funny looking oil can razors well we're really raring to show what we can do and the racers we built it isn't long before the boys have their chance and away they go [Music] [Applause] while the local race is taking place in waterbury boys in other communities across the land are competing in local races too sheboygan wisconsin has always had a reputation for outstanding derby races and it looks like this year is no exception but what's this has the sheboygan oil can derby gone to the dogs well the dogs might not approve but the crowd loves it and they love the excitement of the boys racy too [Music] [Applause] [Music] father west welcome to watertown south dakota where another exciting soapbox derby race is in full swing [Applause] [Music] about 400 miles southwest of watertown is the scots bluff national monument in nebraska once an important landmark on the old oregon trail today it overlooks the site of still another excellent soapbox derby race [Music] [Music] way out west is sacramento the capital city of california and a first-rate derby town as well [Music] the winners of these local races pat perry from sacramento michael grasmick from scott's blood daryl anderson from watertown and ronald detroit from sheboygan they all will be heading for the all-american soapbox derby race in akron ohio where they'll meet the other local champions including the winner of this final heat back in waterbury connecticut [Applause] the winner waterbury soapbox champion george 50 burns fiffy has become one of 252 local soapbox derby champions winning a 500 bond a beautiful trophy and the opportunity to compete for scholarships at the all-american soapbox derby race in akron gosh i'll always remember coming into akron pass the championship track at derby downs and right down main street boy those people there sure make you feel like you're a celebrity or something [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] i'll always remember derby town too that's where we all stay in here it's the first real chance i've ever had to meet boys from other parts of the country even the world guys like daryl and ron mike and pat they're all good guys and it doesn't take any time at all to get to know each other [Music] one great thing about derby town there's always something fun to do [Music] ah life at derby town has its serious side too for example when each champ is given a watch by the general manager of the derby and when they all sit around the campfire at night and unwind after a day of activity of course there's plenty for the chance to do to get ready for the big race topside at derby downs is a busy place as the boys get a chance to put on their new championship wheels and check over the racers for the first time since leaving home this is also when the officials get a chance to make sure all the cars meet the strict derby safety requirements [Music] after the inspection it's time for a trial run down the track a chance to get the feel of it before it really counts on race day [Music] meanwhile the town of akron is gold wild famous stars of the entertainment world have come to take part in this big championship soapbox derby event and the people of the town are all there to give them a rousing welcome there's emmett kelly jr carrying on the great tradition of his father who was one of the most beloved clowns on the [Music] circus there's longtime hollywood favorite glenn ford and there's singer frankie avalon [Music] and there's old daniel boone himself tess parker all six foot five of them [Music] out at derbytown there's a big luncheon set up and all the champs and the officials who take part in the all-american race are here getting acquainted and waiting to meet the celebrities in person most of us have never been this close to a movie star before and we sure take a lot of pictures to show the kids back home then this parker takes time out to show us how to use a bow and arrow not bad huh race day it's here and the big parade of champions starts down the track 70 000 people are on hand to watch this all-american championship race and what a day it's starting out to be [Music] [Applause] [Music] now it's time for akron's oil can derby at the starting line bess parker glenn ford and frankie avalon squeeze into their races at the bottom of the hill holding the stardust flag is america's junior miss patrice condor and they're off [Music] the winner the man in the coonskin cab uh uh no tricks frankie fess parker won fire and square there [Music] now it's time for the champions to show their stuff the crowd is ready the officials are ready the boys are ready so let's go [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] what a moment it is when it's your turn to go down that hill at akron here you are representing all those guys who raced against you back home all those people in the town who worked so hard to make this moment possible and then you're off and all you can think about is keeping your racer moving straight down the track as fast as it knows how to go [Applause] [Music] i guess one of the most unforgettable moments of the derby is when you take your seat up there among the other champs who have been eliminated sure you're disappointed but you know you've done your best so you really mean it when you cheer on your friends still out there racing maybe that's part of what they mean when they talk about the derby helping to teach you good sportsmanship now an afternoon of racing has passed and it's time for the final race the race that will decide who will be the new all-american champion all set let's go the winner and new champion from santa ana california robert ellis logan what a day to remember for bob and his mom and dad as the new champion receives the winners trophy from e.m estes general manager of chevrolet [Music] later that evening when all the champions are guests of honor at the big annual banquet the climax of the program is the presentation of college scholarships to the winners the top award goes to the all-american soapbox derby champion robert ellis logan well it's all over is it there's the return home to a town where you will always be a champion and there are the memories all those days of fun and excitement days you will always remember how about wouldn't you want to take part in the next soapbox derby in your town