Portland Adult Soapbox Derby

Once every year, a brave group of racers convenes on the daunting slopes of Mt. Tabor to test their metal to their mettle in homemade and creative soapbox cars. Portland’s PDX Adult Soap Box Derby is a grassroots community event fueled by over 150 volunteers and traditionally held every August.

In the heat of the summer of 1997, six men climbed to the top of Mt Tabor, pulling their creations of death and destruction behind them. It was early in the day, yet the smell of beer and sweat already filled the air. They lined their impossible vehicles up and strapped on their glasses and helmets, and the Portland Adult Soapbox Derby was born.

Mt. Tabor, and for that matter, Portland, Oregon, would never be the same…