Demonstrating a pinewood derby racing track are, from left: Sean Perrone, assistant scoutmaster of Troop 547, Berrien Springs; Boy Scout Ben Agay, of Troop 624 , St. Joseph; and Sam Perrone Jr., scoutmaster of Troop 624. The event will debut at the Berrien County Youth Fair next week. (Daily Star photo/KATIE JOHNSON)

By KATIE JOHNSON

Niles Daily Star

BERRIEN SPRINGS — The Berrien County Youth Fair is welcoming an event that may be new to it, but a tradition for Boy Scouts: the pinewood derby.

According to Les Smith, BYCF director, about 80 people have registered for the event; however, it is not exclusive to scouts.

“We’re not a 4-H fair,” Smith said. “We’re a youth fair. That way we can get more people.”

Pinewood derby cars must weigh less than 5 ounces. They are made of wood blocks with weights inside to make them heavier. The track lengths vary depending on the competition. The races are timed electronically and are usually less than 1 second long.

“This is one of many activities the scout organization does each year,” said Corey Burks, a BCYF director. The 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America is this year, and the debut of the pinewood derby at the fair coincides with the celebration.

“We thought this would be a good inaugural run at the fair,” Burks said.

“We might have people come and join the fair who might not have come out otherwise,” Smith said of the pinewood derby race.

The BCYF will award trophies to the top winner in each class, and all participants will receive ribbons. Entry is free.

To register for the race, to be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, call the fair office at (269) 473-4251 or bring your car to the rabbit show tent the day of the race.

The BCYF is Monday through Saturday.

To learn more about the fair, visit www.bcyf.org.