Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/660502
14 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • April 2016 in addition to providing a fun and unique event for the community, everyone involved in bringing the Soap Box derby to life ... has become a family over the years... in addition to providing a The Soap Box derby a Family affair WRITTEN BY DEBRA CAFFREY PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE JOHNSON For race director Alvin Staples, the Fredericksburg Soap Box Derby is more than a downtown race. Along with his wife, Michelle, and three children, Travis, Sarah and Lindsay, Staples has passionately dedicated much of his time over the last two decades to this event. Back in 1996, when the Derby was brought back to Fredericksburg, Staples, who owned an auto paint shop at the time, had no idea then that the derby would impact his entire family for the next 20 years. After seeing the first race, Staples was hooked, and felt inspired to help in any way he could, particularly with the design and painting of the then plain looking cars. Since then, the entire Staples family has been instrumental in evolving the annual Soap Box Derby event into a unique experience that the entire community can enjoy and take pride in. Beyond helping other families participate in the process, Staples has cherished the sacred bonding time the Derby races have allowed him to experience with his children, particularly when traveling for com- petitions with son, Travis. "We never kept track of how many trophies he won, because it was never about that, but about the time we got to spend together," recalls Staples fondly of his years on the road with Travis. "It was honestly the greatest time of our lives." In addition to providing a fun and unique event for the community, everyone involved in bringing the Soap Box Derby to life — from the countless volunteers, sponsors and busi- nesses to Fredericksburg's Department of Parks and Recreation — has become a fam- ily over the years, as Staples can personally