Soap Lake’s Suds N’ Sun brings all the fun

Soap Lake Police Department Chief Ryan Cox headed up efforts to bring back the Soap Box races in this year’s July 4 celebration. He personally worked on the cars to ensure they were race-ready. Fun fact: There’s a tradition that whenever an SLPD member is pictured in the paper, they have to buy the rest of the department pizza. Your turn Chief Cox and you’re welcome SLPD. The Columbia Basin Herald has made a donation to the department’s Benevolent Fund to help those in need. Keep an eye on the paper for additional information about similar traditions at departments around the Basin.

Many children leaned forward with their head down in hopes it would make them faster in order to beat their opponent.

The 2022 Soap Lake Soap Box Derby had twelve participants.

The Soap Lake Soap Box races were held on Maine Avenue East where children would travel down the hill toward the Del Red Pub where the finish line was.

Some children couldn’t help but smile as they rode down the track but others, like Langstyn Rhoads on the right, were completely focused on the finish line. Rhoads took first in the races.

From left to right, Langstyn Rhoads, who took first, Zachary Glatmaier, who took second and Kam Schluckebier, who took third in the Soap Lake Soap Box races.

Langstyn Rhoads, who took first place, with her family that was there to support her.

Many floats in the parade were tricked out with red, white and blue for Independence Day.

Royalty graced Soap Lake during the parade.

The Seattle Cossacks performed again at the end of the parade, partly due to the rain that downpoured during their initial performance. The stunt group had two SLPD officers lay on the ground with a couple of their own members as one drove their motorcycle over the top of them.

The event ended with fireworks at East Beach Park.