Free Accrington Soapbox Challenge returns on 29 August
Homemade carts will race through Accrington town centre on Saturday 29 August as the AmazingAccrington Soapbox Challenge returns with a film theme and a new mega ramp. The family-friendly event runs from 9am to 3:30pm and is free to attend.
The course begins on Little Blackburn Road and heads towards a sharp left-hand finish on Church Street. Event details published by Visit Lancashire say spectators can expect racing, live performances, funfair rides and the chance to inspect the competing carts before they take to the track.
The pits open before racing begins
The day starts at 9am when the pits open on Church Street. This gives visitors time to see the homemade carts at close range, including designs created by community groups, individual entrants and local businesses.
Competitors will parade their carts up Little Blackburn Road at 10am. The first community and individual races begin at 10:15am, followed by the opening business heat at 10:30am.
A 90-minute racing break begins at 12:30pm. Community groups and individual drivers return for their second heat at 2pm, with the second business heat following at 2:30pm. Trophy presentations are scheduled from 3pm, before the event closes at 3:30pm.
A new mega ramp raises the stakes
The 2026 course will feature jumps, water blasters, twists and turns, but the biggest change is at the starting line. Taylors Scaffolding has built a new mega ramp intended to launch each cart onto the course at speed.
Mayor of Hyndburn Cllr Noordad Aziz is due to become the first sitting mayor to compete in the AmazingAccrington Soapbox Challenge. His cart is being constructed by the Hyndburn Borough Council works department.
Sarah Smith, MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden, will return for a second year. After entering a Wallace and Gromit cart previously, her team is following this year’s cinema theme with a Jurassic Park design and targeting the Best Dressed Cart trophy.
Live music and dance fill the racing break
The midday pause is designed to leave time for lunch or a drink in Accrington’s town-centre cafés, restaurants and bars. Accrington Market cabins near the Church Street finish will remain open and will be decorated with racing flags.
Entertainment continues while the track is quiet. The programme includes live music from James G, dancers from the Helen Green Academy of Dance, roaming ska performances by Blowjangles and an appearance by a dancing Chinese lion. Funfair rides will also be available for younger visitors.
Planning a day at the Accrington course
The event takes place outdoors along the route from Little Blackburn Road to Church Street, so visitors can choose between arriving for the 9am pits, watching the first races from 10:15am or returning for the afternoon heats and trophies. The source notice does not provide specific transport or accessibility arrangements.
Scott Dawson Advertising is organising the event, which is supported by Hyndburn Borough Council and several local sponsors. Spectator attendance is free, while spaces for teams wishing to enter a soapbox are limited. Entries are being accepted through the official AmazingAccrington Soapbox Challenge page, and entry fees will be donated to Maundy Relief.
Source: Visit Lancashire Blog
Context & actions About this article
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The date, timetable, town-centre route and attendance cost were checked against the Visit Lancashire event notice.
- Confirmed the event date as Saturday 29 August 2026.
- Confirmed the advertised opening hours as 9am to 3:30pm.
- Confirmed the route from Little Blackburn Road to Church Street.
- Confirmed that spectator attendance is advertised as free.
- Source
- Visit Lancashire Blog
- Scope
- Accrington
- Updated
- 2026-08-18 17:48
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