ENTERPRISE The 4th annual Bowlby Bash Derby will launch up to 20 or so handmade soapbox derby-type cars down Main Street in the only such event in Eastern Oregon.

The derby has become a popular attraction at Enterprises annual Bowlby Bash, which takes place Saturday, July 12.

In connection with the derby, theres a Show n Shine from 10 to 11:30 a.m., when folks get a chance to get a close look at the entries, and vote for their Peoples Choice favorite. A parade down Main Street past all the vendors at noon, is followed by the big race at 1 p.m.

The non-motorized cars are pushed up Main Street to the staging area in back of the Enterprise High School ag shop, and then travel down the hill at varying rates of speed, depending on their design, the pull of gravity and the expertise of their drivers.

There are two divisions, Speedster and Artistic, for derby cars, as well as three age categories, ages 9-12, 13-17 and 19-88. The Artistic cars are judged only on their looks, though they also make a run down the hill, while the Speedsters rely on speed. In the past both Speedsters and Artistic derby cars have come in many creative designs, including a rolling garden and a vehicle fit for the Flintstones.

The derby will once again be dedicated to military veterans, and Jolene Gunter will sing the national anthem before the race begins. Tom Swanson is set to announce the race live from the finish line, and Dan Moody is the official starter.

Thats always the big mystery, said Ron Osterloh, organizer of the derby who has also raced his own camera-shaped speedster, when asked about how many entrants there will be this time around. Last year there were 19 entries.

Until registration, inspections and time-trials are completed before the race (those preliminary activities take place Tuesday and Friday), no one knows who has been working on a derby in his/her garage in secret, or whose car fell apart since last year.

At least one good-natured grudge race is on the horizon last year Osterlohs assistant, Jorge Aguilar, beat Osterloh by one-tenth of a minute in a side-by-side run to claim fourth place overall, and Osterloh admits he is out to beat Aguilar this year.

The event chairman is working on a new derby vehicle with a design that resembles an X-Wing Flyer from Star Wars. But Im running out of time, like everyone else, he said last week. If he doesnt get it finished, there are repairs needed on his camera car. If I get my X-Wing car done, the only way Im going to see Jorge Aguilar is in my rear view mirror.

Of course, Osterloh admits that others have been making improvements on their racers, including Main Street Motors, and hes heard rumors of new blood coming into the race.

When asked what the winners win, the chairman said that for now its mostly bragging rights and they go down in history.

Osterloh, a former longtime Enterprise resident now living in La Grande, said hed like to also organize a derby in that Union County city and encourage a two-county derby rivalry.

In the meantime, the Bowlby Bash Derby is the only soapbox race around, and everyone is invited to come to Enterprise for the Bowlby Bash Saturday to cheer on their favorites.