Racing In The Street

Turns out there will be a soap box derby on Main Street this summer after all. Get set for the races on Sunday, June 13, the 225th anniversary of the founding of Bristol.

It had appeared that the Main Street streetscape project would collide with the plans for the races, but -- I know you'll be shocked to learn this, shocked -- the state approval for the streetscape project isn't in yet and that's why the city can't move forward.

It's the state's money, so I guess they can reserve the right to give the project the thumbs up or not, and in this case, it works out nicely for the Bristol Historical Society, which is leading the charge to celebrate the city's 225th anniversary. So the race gets a green light and the project will start a little later in June.

I wrote about it for Wednesday's edition of The Bristol Press (www.bristolpress.com).

If anyone out there in blogville is a former soap box derby racer who wants to reminisce, let me know! Email me at jmajerus@bristolpress.com.

Crash Course

Members of the Bristol 225th birthday committee who have fond memories of soap box derby races on Main Street want to relive those glory days with an event this summer.

Trouble is, their timing (they want June 13, the date Bristol was founded) collides with the city's plans for the Main Street streetscape upgrade of new sidewalks, new decorative lamps, benches, the whole nine yards. It would be just about exactly the same time in exactly the same spot.

I wrote a story about it today that you might find interesting. Hopefully it will run in Wednesday's edition of The Bristol Press. (www.bristolpress.com)