ROCHELLE – Local Cub Scout Pack 553 will be hosting its annual Pinewood Derby race next Saturday and everyone is invited to attend.
The pinewood Derby is an annual event created in the 1950s by Cubmaster Don Murphy as a way to bring fathers and sons together on an activity that promotes craftsmanship and good sportsmanship. Each of the scouts are given a block of wood, four plastic wheels and four nails to hold the wheels. Other than that, the only restriction is that the car weighs five ounces or less.
Each of the “Dens” including Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos race their cars three times. Then a computer averages all of the heats based on speed and then a trophy is handed out for first, second, third and best designed car. The scouts who earned first place, second place and best design go on to the main district event in Pecatonica to race their cars.
While the kids enjoy competing together to see whose car is the fastest, they look forward to the process of putting it together and having people watch it race each year.

“Each year the kids are always so excited to build their cars and then get to race them with an audience watching,” said Mandi Morris, PR for the Cub Scouts.
The event is free for the public to attend and there will be concessions for sale throughout the race.
This year the Pinewood Derby will be held Saturday, Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. at Lincoln School. Anyone who is interested in joining scouts or just looking for something fun to do is welcome to come out and cheer on their favorite race car.
“We are hoping that offering this event to the public will maybe get some more kids involved in scouts, bring back childhood memories for some adults that were former scouts and just provide some fun entertainment,” added Morris.
If anyone would like to sign up for Cub Scouts, they can do so through the website at www.pack553rochelle.scoutlnder.com.