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CLEARWATER — It's like racing back in time.
Saturday, a series of gravity-powered, homemade box cars — some built from scratch, others from kits — will be rolling downhill next to the Harborview Center.
The second annual Box Car Rally is shaping up to be bigger than last year's race, organizers say.
"It seems like we have more things going on this year," said Linda Mignone, spokeswoman for Achieva Credit Union, which puts on the event. "We'll have more vendors. We'll have bleachers at the bottom of the hill so people can watch the race as it comes down.
"We'll have DJs at the top and the bottom of the hill. Last year, nobody at the top of the hill could hear anything."
Four racing classes — pee wee, teen, adult and corporate — will compete. Last year's event featured about three dozen cars, and more are expected this time.
Pee wee races start at 9:30 a.m., with the other groups following.
The event in the 300 block of Cleveland Street includes food, drinks, music, balloons, children's activities, and merchant tents and tables.
Admission and parking are free. Proceeds from sponsors, vendors and raffles go to the Pinellas Education Foundation's grant program to benefit Pinellas County classrooms. Last year, Achieva awarded 15 $1,000 grants through the event.
Students from several high schools are competing in the races, Mignone said.
"We'd like to get people out there to cheer the racers on and have a good time," she said.
Don't miss Clearwater Vice Mayor George Cretekos, Pinellas County deputy school superintendent Jim Madden and Achieva Credit Union CEO/president Gary Regoli as they brave the dunk tank.
For $1, buy three balls to drop the big shots into the drink — and help classrooms.
Reach Mike Brassfield at brassfield@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4151.
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