HOPING FOR A WIN — Several area Scouts watched closely as their cars approached the finish line in one of the many races held during Boy Scouts of America Two Trails District’s Pinewood Derby Saturday at the Fort Steuben Mall. About 126 Scouts from 11 Cub Scout packs on both sides of the Ohio River participated in the annual event. -- Warren Scott

STEUBENVILLE — From the creation of an array of sleek, colorful miniature cars from a block of wood, four plastic wheels and other materials to the day they would be pitted against each other, the Pinewood Derby brought many families together for fun and excitement.

About 126 boys and girls in 11 Cub Scout packs from the Two Trails District of Boy Scouts of America gathered Saturday at the Fort Steuben Mall to see if their hours of hard work would pay off with a photo finish at the end of the derby’s 42-foot track.

Several Scouts came away with trophies, but all could return home with memories of the time they spent with parents, grandparents and other close adults who aided them in producing the cars and cheered for them as their vehicles made their way down the track.

Top finishers of the derby were: Mark Betlem of Pack 151 of Weirton, first place: Mason Holmes of Pack 151, second place: Bernie Koehnlein of Pack 41 of Toronto, third place: Ezra Leasure of Pack 415 of Wintersville, fourth place; and Billy Heldreth of Pack 20 of Richmond, fifth place.

A survey of the long tables on which the entries were displayed revealed a variety of colors and designs, including a police car with light bar and siren to a black-and-yellow dragster bearing the Bat-signal to a sparkly pink Barbie racer.

Named the Best Show Car was a green Ford truck, with two rifle shells serving as exhaust pipes, created by 7-year-old Aaron Buck of Pack 1553 of Wellsburg, with help from his father, Steven, and two friends, Paul Skaggs and Mike Wyatt.

“It was a team effort,” said Steven, who noted his son wanted to enter a truck into the race and they managed to shape the wood block provided for the event into such vehicle.

Aaron’s mother, Paula, noted pieces of cotton were affixed to the “pipes” before the race to simulate smoke.

“I’ve got a big trophy,” an amazed Aaron said of the award he received, adding he looked forward to placing it on his desk at home.

A recent newcomer to Scouting, Aaron confirmed he has received badges for first aid and good nutrition since joining his pack.

Carrying an orange-and-yellow car bearing the face of Iron Man, 6-year-old Alex Fowler said, “I made it with my Papaw,” adding the two also have created wooden swords together.

Fowler said he joined Pack 151 of Weirton with a few classmates from school but has made new friends as well.

Nine-year-old Alyssa Clark of Pack 20 of Richmond said she joined Cub Scouts so she could participate in the derby but has enjoyed other activities and would encourage others to do the same.

Clark said she worked with her father on her sparkly, red Formula One-style car, and he melted down lead sinkers to serve as weights for it.

Affixed to some of the entries were small bolts, nuts, washers and coins designed to improve their speed as they descended the six-lane track.

Led by derby coordinator Joe Kovaleski, a team of volunteers ensured each car was the proper size and weight and assisted the Scouts as they stepped up to place their vehicles at the start line.

Numbers were drawn to determine which lane each would take.

Among the volunteers was Rick Brozka, who noted the winners are determined through triple elimination following a day of about 32 races.

He noted in derbies past, with as many as 400 participants, the winners were determined through double elimination.

Assistant Scoutmaster Dave Lawson of Boy Scout Troop 38 of New Cumberland noted he became involved in the event when his grandchildren participated, and they now are young men.

“Everybody here has a history that goes way back,” said Lawson.

The event also brought back memories for spectators.

“I remember when my son did it,” said Mike Harvey, who came to cheer for his grandsons, Miles and Jaxson, who are members of Pack 334 of Weirton.

Harvey noted his son worked on the boys’ cars with them but couldn’t be there because he was ill.

Serving as something of a warmup for the derby was the Family Stock event, a series of races on Friday night open to Boy Scouts, Explorers, adult Scout volunteers and family members.

A newer Pinewood Derby tradition, it drew 46 participants this year.

Top finishers of that event were: Connor Cooper, representing Troop 3 of Steubenville, first place; Buck Heldreth of Troop 22 of Richmond, second place; James Cooper of Pack 415, third place; Steve Hinkle of Pack 20, fourth place; Jason Hawkins of Pack 41, fifth place; and Riley Heldreth of Troop 22, sixth place.

While not old enough to enter those races, 10-year-old Lucas Ault of Pack 41 of Toronto is a Pinewood Derby veteran, having participated since he was in kindergarten.

Asked to name his favorite Scout activity, he said, “It’s impossible. Everything is fun.”

But Ault did recall fishing, target shooting with a BB gun and learning to safely use a knife while carving a bar of soap.

Kovaleski expressed thanks to the many local businesses that provided prizes and other support to the event.

Major sponsors this year included: the Fort Steuben Mall, Buckeye Mechanical Contracting, the Ville Restaurant, R. Davis and Sons Heating and Cooling, Eat ‘n Park, Buena Vista Honey Farms, A Touch of Elegance Bakery, Wintersville Trophy Shop, Hamiltons Emporium, Great American Cookies, Texas Roadhouse, Rock Starz, Game Stop and Screwy Louie’s.