Lights, Camera, Soapbox... Accrington gears up for Blockbuster day of racing this August
Excitement is building for the return of the #AmazingAccrington Soapbox Challenge on Saturday 29th August, with a brand-new film theme, a huge new start ramp and some very special competitors ready to take to the track.
Thousands of spectators are expected to line the streets of Accrington town centre for another high-octane, action-packed day as homemade carts hurtle down the famous Soapbox course.
Free to attend and running from 9am until 3:30pm, the event will start on Little Blackburn Road before racing towards a hair-raising left-hand finish on Church Street.
This year's #AmazingAccrington Soapbox Challenge is sponsored by Hyndburn Borough Council, Accrington & Rossendale College, Baxenden Car Breakers, Taylors Scaffolding and Financial Affairs, and organised by Scott Dawson Advertising.
Competitors will face jumps, water blasters and plenty of twists and turns as they battle for Soapbox glory. New for 2026 is a spectacular mega ramp at the start line, specially built by Taylors Scaffolding and set to give every cart a fast and ferocious launch onto the course.
Adding to the excitement, Mayor of Hyndburn, Cllr Noordad Aziz, will make history as the first sitting Mayor to compete in the #AmazingAccrington Soapbox Challenge.
He will be joined on the track by Sarah Smith, MP for Hyndburn & Haslingden, who returns for her second year and will be embracing the event's film theme with a specially designed Jurassic Park cart as she sets her sights firmly on the Best Dressed Cart trophy.
The day gets underway at 9am when the pits open on Church Street, giving visitors the chance to get up close to the weird, wonderful and brilliantly creative carts before racing begins, alongside a special VIP opening.
At 10am, competitors will parade their carts up Little Blackburn Road before the first racing gets underway at 10:15am, with community groups and individual entrants taking on the course. Businesses will then take centre stage for their first heat from 10:30am.
Following a morning of racing, there will be a 90-minute break from 12:30pm, giving spectators the perfect opportunity to explore Accrington and enjoy lunch or a drink at one of the town centre's cafés, restaurants and bars.
The entertainment won't stop while the carts are off the track, with live music from James G and dance from the Helen Green Academy of Dance, performances from popular roaming ska band Blowjangles and a special appearance from a dancing Chinese lion.
Soapbox action resumes at 2pm with the second heat for community groups and individuals, followed by the second business heat at 2:30pm. The day's winners will be revealed during the trophy presentations from 3pm.
There will also be funfair rides for younger visitors, while the Accrington Market cabins, close to the finish line, will be dressed for the occasion with racing flags and open throughout the day. From fish to fashion, the cabins are well worth exploring between the action on the track.
Cllr Kate Walsh, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Arts at Hyndburn Borough Council, said: “The Soapbox is one of the best events in Accrington and, I would say, across the region. Thousands of people turn out, the racing and entertainment are fantastic and it's a great opportunity to support our local businesses too. I can't wait for this year's event!”
Cllr Noordad Aziz, Mayor of Hyndburn, said: “I'm incredibly excited to be the first Mayor to compete in the Accrington Soapbox. Our cart is currently under construction in the Hyndburn Borough Council works department and I can't wait to see the finished result. Make sure you come along and see it in action!”
Sarah Smith, MP for Hyndburn & Haslingden, said: “After our Wallace & Gromit cart last year, we're back and determined to win Best Dressed Cart! We're celebrating this year's film theme with Jurassic Park, and we're going all out to bring that trophy home.”
Stephen Taylor, from Taylors Scaffolding, said: “We're delighted to be involved with the Soapbox this year and we've had great fun building the new mega ramp. It's going to make for a brilliant start to the racing. Good luck to everyone taking part!”
Zoe Spencer from Baxenden Car Breakers, said: We’re delighted to be sponsoring the #AmazingAccrington Soapbox Challenge for a second year. After finishing third last year, we’re going all out for the win this time, we can’t wait!”
Charlotte Schefman, Dean of Higher Education at East Lancashire Learning Group, said: “The Soapbox Challenge is such a well-loved event in our community, and we have had lots of fun taking part over the years. It is important that we are part of these large-scale events in our hometown. We’re really proud to support it and can’t wait for another fantastic day!”
The event will also be supporting a fantastic local cause, with Soapbox Challenge entry fees being donated to Maundy Relief.
With spectacular carts, daring drivers, live entertainment, family attractions and a town centre packed with things to see and do, the countdown is well and truly on for one of Accrington's biggest days of the year.
The #AmazingAccrington Soapbox Challenge takes place in Accrington town centre on Saturday 29th August, from 9am until 3:30pm, and is completely free to attend.
Limited spaces are available for Soapbox entries. Enter here: https://www.amazingaccrington.co.uk/soapbox-challenge/
To learn more, visit www.amazingaccrington.co.uk