Free AmazingAccrington Soapbox Challenge set for 29 August
Accrington town centre will become a soapbox racing course on Saturday 29 August, when the AmazingAccrington Soapbox Challenge returns with a film theme and a new mega ramp. The free event runs from 9am to 3.30pm and is aimed at families and other spectators, with the route stretching from Little Blackburn Road to the finish on Church Street.
According to event details published by Visit Lancashire, homemade carts will tackle jumps, water blasters, twists and turns as thousands of spectators are expected to line the course. The racing is supported by live music, dance performances, funfair rides and town-centre food and drink options throughout the day.
A new ramp will launch the film-themed carts
The most visible change to the 2026 course will be a large start ramp built by Taylors Scaffolding. Positioned at the beginning of the route, it is designed to send each cart quickly onto the course before competitors negotiate the remaining obstacles and the left-hand finish on Church Street.
This year’s film theme will shape the carts as well as the atmosphere around the track. Sarah Smith, MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden, is returning for a second attempt with a Jurassic Park-inspired entry after competing in a Wallace and Gromit cart last year. Her team is targeting the Best Dressed Cart trophy.
Mayor of Hyndburn Noordad Aziz will also take part, becoming the first sitting mayor to compete in the event. His cart is being constructed by Hyndburn Borough Council’s works department.
Spectators who want a close look at the engineering and decoration can arrive when the pits open on Church Street at 9am. The carts will then parade up Little Blackburn Road at 10am, placing every entry on view before racing begins.
Racing starts at 10.15am and returns after lunch
Community groups and individual entrants will open the competitive programme at 10.15am. The first business heat follows at 10.30am, with teams facing the same ramp, jumps and water obstacles as they pursue the day’s trophies.
A 90-minute racing break begins at 12.30pm. Spectators can remain in the town centre for performances or visit nearby cafés, restaurants, bars and the Accrington Market cabins, which will be decorated with racing flags and open close to the finish line.
The track reopens at 2pm for the second community and individual heat. Businesses return at 2.30pm, before the winners are named during trophy presentations from 3pm. The event is scheduled to finish at 3.30pm.
Music, dance and rides continue between the heats
The lunchtime pause will not bring the wider programme to a stop. James G is due to perform live music, while the Helen Green Academy of Dance will present dance performances. Roaming ska band Blowjangles and a dancing Chinese lion are also included in the entertainment line-up.
Funfair rides will be available for younger visitors. With the pits, course, market cabins and performances concentrated in Accrington town centre, families can move between the carts and entertainment while racing is paused.
The event is organised by Scott Dawson Advertising and sponsored by Hyndburn Borough Council, Accrington and Rossendale College, Baxenden Car Breakers, Taylors Scaffolding and Financial Affairs. Entry fees paid by competitors will be donated to local charity Maundy Relief.
What spectators and prospective entrants should know
Attendance is free and no spectator booking requirement is stated in the published event information. The course begins on Little Blackburn Road and finishes on Church Street, with the pits opening at the finish area from 9am.
The source does not provide accessibility arrangements or detailed travel and parking guidance, so visitors who need those details should check the official event information before setting out. Limited spaces remain for teams wishing to enter a soapbox; the official AmazingAccrington Soapbox Challenge page carries the entry route.
Source: Visit Lancashire Blog
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The date, timetable, route, admission cost and programme were checked against the event information published by Visit Lancashire.
- Confirmed Saturday 29 August as the event date.
- Confirmed the published running time of 9am to 3.30pm.
- Confirmed that spectators can attend free of charge.
- Checked the course from Little Blackburn Road to Church Street and the listed race schedul...
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- 2026-08-18 17:51
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