Unique Penticton fundraiser centred around soapbox racing | iNFOnews.ca
Penticton Centre for Exceptional Learning executive director Carrie Ferguson and Fable are pictured with their soapbox racer in this submitted photo. SUBMITTED/Penticton Centre for Exceptional Learning

Unique Penticton fundraiser centred around soapbox racing

PENTICTON – A new event is bringing soapbox racing to Penticton this spring.

The Penticton Centre for Exceptional Learning is hosting the first Soap Box Saturday on April 6 and it will include an appearance by Canadian professional race car driver Austin Riley, the world’s first professional race car driver with autism, according to a media release. Riley will be accompanied by the Autism Reality Trailer to raise awareness about autism and help people understand what it’s like to have the condition.

The centre's executive director Carrie Ferguson said building and racing soap box cars are a great family activity.

“We hope to get a lot of participants in the derby and welcome the whole community to watch the races and enjoy all of the activities we have planned,” she said in the release.

The first year’s course is intended to be enjoyable for beginners, with prizes for fastest car and most creative design. Cars will also be on hand for people to try out.

The derby is a first for Penticton Centre for Exceptional Learning, which is a registered charity supporting, educating and challenging students with high-functioning autism. The charity is hoping to raise awareness and acceptance of autism as well as to raise funds for the learning centre.

Activities are slated for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at the Centre for Exceptional Learning, located at 3547 Skaha Lake Rd. on April 6.

More information regarding entry fees and rules for the events are available on the Penticton Centre for Exceptional Learning here.

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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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