Morristown once again ready to celebrate Derby Days

Derby Days is an annual celebration in the northern Shelby County community of Morristown.

The 76th Annual Derby Days celebration kicks off tonight with Morristown High School's annual Alumni Soccer Game at 6 p.m. and wraps up Sunday with the Morristown Boys and Girls Club Car Show at Morristown Park.

In between, there will be Derby Days races for adults and local youth, a parade through downtown Morristown, live entertainment, food and craft vendors, a road race and a fireworks show.

“I am a long-term resident (of Morristown). I’ve been here since I was in third grade and I’ve never missed a Derby Days except maybe one, which was the COVID year,” said Brittany Green, President of Morristown Matters. “It’s a tradition that my grandparents and great-grandparents did and it’s amazing to see something last so long in this community.”

Local Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts drive soap box derby cars down U.S. 52 into downtown Morristown.

The showcase event is Saturday’s Derby Days race which features local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts driving soap box derby cars down U.S. 52 to the finish line in downtown Morristown.

Adults will take part in Derby Days racing Friday at 6 p.m. on North St. A beer garden will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. Live entertainment will begin following the conclusion of Derby Days racing.

Breakfast at the American Legion Auxiliary and the annual Paul Otis Goble (POG) Run both take place prior to the parade which starts at 11 a.m.

Long-time law enforcement officer Henry Albrecht was to be the Grand Marshal for this year’s parade but  his recent passing will bring a somber moment to the start of the parade.

“There will be a memorial float for Henry. All his family will be on one of the first floats,” said Green.

Following the conclusion of the parade, the Derby Days course will be prepared and practice runs will begin in preparation for the racing.

The Morristown High School volleyball program will host an Alumni Volleyball Game at 3 p.m. in the high school gymnasium.

Breanna Faith will take the outdoor stage for a live performance at 4:15 p.m.

Bryson Cooper is the headline performer this year and he takes the stage at 5:30 p.m.

The fireworks show will commence around 9:45 p.m.

“The best spot to go is right behind the school,” said Green. “They will be set off behind the baseball diamond. We will have people set up along the high school track.”

The benefit car show is noon Sunday at Morristown Park.

Here are the competitors in Saturday’s Derby Days races:

• Kori Palmer in car No. 22, age 11
• Aubrey Longwell in car No. 15, age 10
• Madilyn Carlton in car No. 23, age 10
• Arianna Roller in car No. 18, age 10
• Bristol Goin in car No. 28, age 9
• Presley Rodenhuis in car No. 5, age 9
• Lillian Chapella in car No. 4, age 9
• Addi Palmer in car No. 11, age 9
• Bayley Willey in car No. 14, age 8
• Kaylie Thompson in car No. 25, age 11
• Morgan Thompson in car No. 13, age 9
• Madi Ramsey in car No. 8, age 8
• Paisley Crisman in car No. 6, age 8
• Sabriel Emminger in car No. 12, age 11
• Molly Ramsey in car No. 16, age 9
• Asa Odum in car No. 20, age 9
• Luke Crisman in car No. 0, age 10
• Laikin Stout in car No. 22, age 9
• Beau DeWitt in car No. 13, age 9
• Simon Emminger in car No. 25, age 9
• Grant Hill in car No. 4, age 9

For more information on the Derby Days schedule of events, go to the Morristown Derby Days page on Facebook.

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