HODGDON, Maine — Youngsters from the Hodgdon area gathered Saturday morning to race homemade cars at the Hodgdon United Baptist Church.
The 13th annual Kids In Christ’s Service (KICS) Grand Prix drew a group of 11 youngsters to the church located on 846 Calais Road.
The top four racers in the Design category at Saturday’s KICS Grand Prix were, from left, Teagan Mitchell, first; Morgan Smith, second; Ben Porter, third; and Jasmine Kervin, fourth.
(Courtesy of Rob Smith)
“Each year we gather together on the first Saturday of May and have a time of competition and fellowship,” Pastor Rob Smith said. “It is a time for the parents to watch their kid’s car race down the track. The hard work and preparation can be celebrated as their car finishes the race.”
The event has included some interesting designs for cars over the years.
“This year we had cars that looked like unicorns, eagles, boats, limos and patriotic cars,” Smith said. “Our church does this to open its doors to the community as we make the parents aware of why we do KICS and what a typical night consists of when we meet.”
While races such as this are typically associated with the Boy Scouts of America and their Pinewood Derby races, the Hodgdon event took that concept and mixed it with its church youth group.
“We actually host the Cub Scouts each year as they come and race their cars in late February or early March,” Smith said. “I would also like to take time to thank all that make this race possible from set up to clean up and to all the racers and parents thanks for coming out and supporting the kids. What a great pleasure it is to see the kids faces as they have big smiles on their faces as they see their car head down the track.”
During the race, Smith said, a time of fellowship is included with passages from the gospel read. Saturday’s event included the theme of the path that God has for people.
“The middle of the racing path keeps us on the straight and narrow and God will be with us from the beginning to the end,” Smith said. “There may be bumps and difficulties, but He will keep us centered just like the middle of each race path has a raised area to keep the cars on the track and centered.”
The 13th annual KICS Grand Prix was held Saturday at the Hodgdon United Baptist Church. Participants were, from left, DJ White, Jasmine Kervin, Teagen Mitchell, Morgan Smith, Dawsen Stamper, Kennady Wright, Finn Gardiner, Austin Quimby, Jake Porter, Brooke Quimby and Ben Porter.
(Courtesy of Rob Smith)
