Cars for a Cause: The Tipp Hill Derby Fest is Back for 2026!

The steepest hills, the most creative local contraptions, and a Tipp Hill neighborhood block party in Syracuse are officially returning! Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2026 for the annual Tipp Hill Derby Fest.

What started as a neighborhood soapbox race has grown into an unforgettable weekend tradition. Whether you are building a custom soapbox car, racing on a skateboard, bringing the kids for a free run, or just coming for the food, there is a place at the starting line for you. Come join the fun and help us support a great cause!

📅 The 2026 Weekend Lineup

Day 1: Saturday, October 17 (12:00 PM – 3:00 PM)

Where: Burnet Park (Tipperary Hill)
The Soapbox Derby: Watch courageous local teams navigate a tight, winding 1,300-foot course—stretching nearly a quarter-mile down the hill! Prizes will be awarded for speed, creative designs, and pre-race showmanship.
Several varieties of Pierogies will be on sale as well as chicken wings, burgers, and hotdogs

Day 2: Sunday, October 18 (11:30 AM – 5:00 PM+)

Where: Saints Peter & Paul Orthodox Church (401 Hamilton St)
The Kids' Derby: The Free Kids' Soapbox Derby (Ages 7–12) is back on Emerson Avenue! To make sure every child can join in, soapbox cars are provided entirely for free, thanks to our generous sponsors.
The Festival (Starts at 11:30 AM): Join us at the church for a classic Country Fair featuring authentic, homemade Slavic food and desserts, old-tyme games, and live music.

Several varieties of Pierogies will be on sale

💛 Cars for a Cause

We are fundraising for a food-recovery and 15-passenger van.

Your donation and sponsorships will help us secure a used van.

What this Van Will Help Us Accomplish:

Recover and Prepare More Hot Meals for those in Need: We rescue hundreds of hot, nutritious meals every single week that would otherwise go to waste, and we are working to scale to more meals weekly. Having a van will help us scale.
Richmond Avenue Street Outreach: Every week, our team hand-delivers 250+ prepared and nutritious meals straight to the doorsteps of local households in need.
Richmond Neighborhood Cooking Classes: Once a month, we gather with neighborhood families, purchase high-quality ingredients, teach them how to cook healthy meals, and send them home with fresh ingredients and recipes. Having a van will help transport these families to the classes.
Community Improvement Projects: Once a month, we hope to gather some of the youth and neighbors around Richmond Avenue to help improve their block.
Field Trips for the Youth of Richmond Ave: Once a month, we look to take many of the youth from Richmond Ave on nature oriented fields. Having this van will enable us to connect with more youth.

Note: All donations will be applied to the Van Project. In the event contributions exceed project expenses, excess funds will be directed to the hot meal distribution effort to those in need around the Richmond Avenue neighborhood.

🚀 How You Can Join the Fun!

Become a Sponsor: From simple Team Sponsorships to corporate Start/Finish Line naming rights, your business can get great local exposure while feeding Syracuse families.
Donate & Eat: Treat yourself to some incredible Pierogies and desserts, purchase a classic Tipp Hill Derby T-shirt, buy raffle tickets, or make a direct donation right here on Givebutter!

We can't wait to see you at the start line. Let's make the 2026 Tipp Hill Derby Fest our best year yet!

Become a Sponsor of the Event!

Tipp Hill Derby Fest 2026

Two Day Kid, Teen, and Adult Soapbox Car Derby, Downhill Skateboard Races, and Festival

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