South Slope Derby

For 18 years and counting the Annual South Slope Derby has thrilled Brooklyn every August, becoming a beloved celebration of creativity and innovation. The Derby is the culmination of KoKo NYC’s summer programming and features gravity-powered soap box racers made from recycled materials and built by kids. During week-long workshops, kids develop their building and engineering skills and express their natural ingenuity as they imagine and construct their sustainable cars. Together with our Teaching Artists and Counselors, kids learn to design the functional elements of the car, such as steering and brakes, troubleshooting and testing along the way. Throughout the build, kids let their imaginations run wild – who’s to say a car can’t also be a dragon?

In the South Slope Derby, the kids put their creations to the test in a race down 17th Street in South Slope, Brooklyn. They are cheered on by over 500 friends, family, and fans who travel from all over the city every year. Our panel of esteemed judges includes elected officials, business owners, community leaders, and artists who evaluate the cars of over 100 kids on creativity, design, engineering, and speed. This event has been covered in the New York Times, Brooklyn Magazine, Brooklyn Paper, and more. In addition to the cars there are raffles, food vendors, and fun activities for the whole family to enjoy!

This event is free and open to the public.

Please note: There will be filming and photography taking place at the 2025 South Slope Derby.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Open Source Gallery Inc., 306 17th Street, Brooklyn, United States