Derby day, some assembly required: Cedarwood Derby returns to Lexington this weekend

The Cedarwood Derby returns to Al’s Bar in Lexington this Saturday for a third year. Alongside racing, attendees can expect a lineup of live music, food, and drinks, all for a community cause.

The derby, organized by Tyler McDaniel and Mitch Snider, serves as a fundraiser for a local community partner and showcases racers building their own small, wooden cars to race down a track for a chance at glory.

This year, the event is partnering with Neighbors Immigration Clinic, an immigrant-led nonprofit law office that provides low-cost legal services to the local immigrant community.

“That it’s just kind of thinking about what in the particular moment would be most beneficial for those in the community,” Snider said. “That thought of where need is and where harm is being perpetuated, and where we can soften that.”

The event is run as a nonprofit fundraiser; all proceeds are split between the bands performing and the community partner. While there are no specific fundraising or attendance figures the group hopes to reach, the main goal is to spread awareness and build community.

“Our goal is to make it a fun event and raise as much money as we can for the community partner while ensuring to compensate the artists,” said Snider. “Doing it year over year, we hope awareness of the event and our community partner continues to grow so that one day, in 50 years, it will outlast us, carrying on this really cool tradition of being a space where people gather and find community, escape and relief.”

The two behind the event came up with the idea as a joke, and even considered a boxcar street race before realizing such an event would not be feasible. Taking inspiration from the Pinewood Derby, they created their own version, and support from the community has turned it into reality.

Potential racers must stop by the bar to purchase supplies to build a regulation vehicle. While racers can enter and build their car the same day as the race, buying ahead of time is recommended to maximize creative potential. The price of supplies and entry is $20, and general admission tickets will be sold for $15.

Alongside support from Al’s Bar, businesses including Bacardí, Burl Brew and Big Blue Deli offer food and drinks for racers, attendees and community partners.

“Supporting the community partners in some way by offering good people, good music, good food and good fun is just a recipe for success,” McDaniel said. “It always feels great to see people come together over these very small five-ounce cars that people are passionately screaming about.”

Alongside the sounds of racing, attendees can enjoy performances by four musical acts: Lexington-based Home Grown Head, local band Lace, BODAGGIT, and DJ Best Western. While the event has been refined and adjusted, including updates to the track and digitizing race technology, the offering of community and positive change has remained fairly constant.

“The most rewarding part I’d say is just connecting with the community. I feel like it’s stitching together that fabric that makes Lexington a better place by helping people get together and pushing the needle on a community partner,” Snider said.

No prior racing or building experience is necessary; racers can choose the car body size, number of wheels, and decorate as they wish. Racers must keep in mind the 5-ounce weight limit for their car creation.

There are cars from past derbies available for purchase at Al’s Bar as well, for those who would prefer a previously built vehicle.

Winners will be able to take home a one-of-a-kind trophy repurposed for the event.

Racing for the title of champion and hand-me-down glory, even the trophies for the night bring humor, McDaniel said. The organizers used online marketplaces and more to collect old trophies to relabel, so behind the sticker naming the new Cedarwood champion could, for example, lie the gilded etching of a fifth-grade basketball star.

The event is for people 21 and older, and it kicks off at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at Al’s Bar, 601 N. Limestone.