By Madison Fisler Lewis
Jan. 5, 2015. Picture yourself flying down the side of a snow covered ski slope in a decorated cardboard box, gliding past your peers in a wide open, race competition. No you aren’t dreaming. If this sounds like your kind of fun, head on out to Beech Mountain Resort on Sunday, Jan. 11, for the annual Great Cardboard Box Derby.
For decades, the Great Cardboard Box Derby has provided adults an outlet to act like a kid again and bring back all the fun that does with sledding down the mountain. This event has been extremely popular since its inception more than 30 years ago, and it is sure to offer fierce competition once again this year.
“I think this is a really fun event that kind of makes you feel like a kid again,” said Talia Freeman, Director of Marketing at Beech Mountain Resort.
“It is a very different and fun outdoor activity, and it really brings everyone back to that nostalgic feeling of their childhood. We get a lot of locals that come do it every year, but we also get a lot of people that drive from hours away just to race their cardboard box. It is a lot of fun.”
And for those who need more than just the thrill of excitement to get them loaded up into a glorified cardboard box, the $500 grand prize is a pretty good nudge! The first place prize is awarded based on a combined score from three main categories: originality, aesthetic appeal and the fastest race time. In addition to the top prize, prizes will also be awarded for first, second and third place in each category.
Registration for the Great Cardboard Box Derby will take place on the day of the event from 9-11 a.m. or by mail in the Group Sales office. Groups typically consist of three members, with one pilot (over age 18 of course) and two “pushers” to get the race started. Registration cost is just $25 per group.
Judging for the originality and aesthetic categories will take place at noon on the deck of the View Haus with the race officially beginning on the Freestyle slope at 2 p.m. Following the race, the pretigious awards will be bestowed on their respective winners.
The Official Rules for the Great Cardboard Box Derby, according to BeechMountainResort.com, are as follows:
- Entries must be sponsored by an affinity group (business, church, community organizatio) and there can only be one entry per group.
- One or two pilots are allowed. Pilots must remain in the vehicle for the entire race. Hand-held ski poles or sticks for steering purposes are now allowed to be attached to the vehicle. Helmets are required; nobody will be allowed to race without a helmet.
- Vehicles must be made out of a cardboard box and it must feature a minimum of three sides that are at least ten inches high. Vehicles must be lettered and decorated.
- Registration will take place from 9-11 a.m. in the Group Sales office. If registering by mail, you must still check in at Group Sales during the assigned hours of registration.
- Pilot and co-pilot must both be at least 18 years of age. Please provide a valid form of identification at registration.
Structure of the Box
- Materials which cannot be used for structural purposes are: staples, wood, metal, plastic, rubber, epoxy, screws, nails or fiberglass
- Materials which are allowed are: Tape, white glue (Elmer’s or similar), wax oil and water based paint
- Materials NOT allowed for the running surface include: White glue, wax, oil or water based paint, plastic, rubber, epoxy, nails, screws, take, epoxy resin or fiberglass.
Decoration of the Box
- Materials which cannot be used for decoration purposes are: Staples, wood, metal,, plastic, rubber, epoxy, screws, nails or fiberglass
- Materials which are allowed for decoration purposes are: oil or water based paints, tape, varnish, shellac and polyurethane.
The Great Cardboard Box Derby is yet another fantastic Beech Mountain event that many locals and visitors alike have come to anticipate each year. But don’t take our word for it. Check out how much fun folks were having in previous years in the photos below. For more information about the Great Cardboard Box Derby, click here.
Photos by Ken Ketchie
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