The Kingston Artists Downhill Derby is a whimsical, high-energy public spectacle held annually in Kingston, New York. The event is a theatrical parade where gravity-powered sculptures roll down lower Broadway into the historic Rondout Waterfront District.

In August 2025, the event celebrated its landmark 30th anniversary. It remained firmly rooted on lower Broadway, finishing with its traditional street lineup on West Strand and a festive awards ceremony at T.R. Gallo Waterfront Park.

Shortly after the 30th anniversary, the International Soap Box Derby, Inc. (ISBD)—which holds federal trademarks dating back to 1934—requested that the Kingston organizers retire the phrase “Soapbox Derby”. In late 2025, the organization took the trademark notice as a badge of honor, declaring they had finally “grown big enough to be noticed.” They officially renamed the celebration the Kingston Artists Downhill Derby to preserve the event’s autonomous spirit for future generations.

The Course and Atmosphere
The event transforms a steep, three-block downhill stretch of Broadway into an open-air theater and race track.
    • The Starting Line: Vehicles gather at the top of the hill near Spring Street, surrounded by cheering crowds.
    • The Track: The street is lined with spectators, running down lower Broadway from Spring Street to West Strand. 
    • The Finish Line: The course flattens out at the West Strand intersection, right near the waterfront of the Rondout Creek.
    • The Vibe: The air is filled with live music, commentary from local emcees, the sound of rattling DIY wheels, and the cheers of a highly supportive community.

The Vehicles (Kinetic Sculptures)
The entries are not traditional, aerodynamic soapbox cars. Instead, they are hand-built, non-motorized rolling art pieces.
    • Materials: Builders use bicycles, old wagons, lawnmowers, papier-mâché, scrap metal, and recycled materials.
    • Themes: Vehicles are deeply creative, often political, satirical, or purely absurd. Past examples include giant rolling sharks, flying saucers, massive food items like loaves of bread, and elaborate fantasy creatures.
    • Propulsion: The vehicles rely entirely on the hill’s natural incline. Gravity pushes them down, while drivers rely on homemade brake systems to stop at the bottom.

The Presentation and Judging
Performance art is just as important as the vehicle itself during the descent.
  • Skits and Costumes: Teams dress in elaborate costumes that match their vehicle’s theme. Many groups perform choreographed skits, play music, or spray bubbles and confetti into the crowd before launching down the hill.
  • Pacing: Vehicles launch one at a time rather than racing side-by-side. This ensures spectator safety and gives each team the full spotlight.
  • The Awards: Because speed is not tracked, a panel of local judges rates entries based on creativity, engineering ingenuity, and performance. The public votes for the category of “People’s Choice” Winners receive unique, handcrafted trophies made by local artisans.