Wilson Avenue in Essex looked more like a racetrack than a roadway on Saturday as a stretch of the street was closed off for the Windsor Essex Soapbox Derby Association’s season finale.

Dozens of young drivers launched down the ramp in handmade cars, cheered on by family, friends, and a crowd of curious spectators.

For 6-year-old Nash Brown, the experience was pure adrenaline.

“I feel like I’m actually in a real racecar,” he said.

His brother Wyatt, 7, was quick to explain the draw.

“It’s basically: you’re going down a big ramp and trying to get a big first-place trophy… I’ve been having a lot of fun,” he said.

The races marked the year end celebration for WESDA.

“This is our final event of the season,” said President Scott Windram.

He said it’s easy for families to get involved, and encourages them to consider it for the 2026 season.

“They either buy a kit car or they build their own in their garage. We have a great mix of everything here today,” said Windram.

He noted that while the event is full of fun — made even better by Saturday’s perfect weather — the competitive racing spirit is still at the heart of it.

“It actually is very competitive. We’ve had three ties this year so far at two of our different events,” Windham said. ”And two of them are brothers. So it’s been a family feud, if you could say.”

Every child left with hardware, no matter the finish – with trophies for each place finished.

For 10-year-old Xavier Balsamo, the thrill of the ride was hard to beat.

“It feels like you’re in an airplane with no roof, and you’re just flying at like 22 kilometres per hour,” he said. “I would tell all my friends to come out. Come play. Come drive.”

Among those keeping an eye on the action was Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy.

“It is fun because I’m super competitive,” she said. “I’m watching and trying to see what the speeds are. They’re getting clocked at 21 to 23km an hour.”

Bondy said she had certificates from town hall to distribute to the winners.

The day wasn’t just about racing.

At Heritage Park Pavilion, families explored a vendor market with 14 booths, free crafts and games, face painting, and a community raffle.

Scouts Canada helped serve lunch, while local businesses and residents donated prizes, including a $500 grand prize from Centerline.

For Windram, the event capped off a strong season and set the stage for more.

He encouraged anyone interested in finding out more about the organization to look them up on Facebook at Windsor Essex Soapbox Derby Association.