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Save the Date!
The 6th Annual Helena Septemberfest is coming back to downtown Helena September 11 - 13, 2026!
Registration for the Soapbox Derby is set to open April 15th so mark your calendars!
Also make sure to keep checking back on the event website for all the event details!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
About Septemberfest - CLICK HERE!
The 6th Annual Septemberfest is coming back to downtown Helena the weekend of September 11th, 12th, & 13th! Septemberfest is a FREE family event that takes place in downtown Helena. Stay tuned for more event details!
This year's theme is Gulch Goes Galactic!
All the funds raised from this year's event will be donated back to the United Way and their partner non-profits!
Septemberfest Soapbox Derby
The soap box derby is a two part event in downtown Helena. Friday night, spectators can enjoy a soap box derby car show on the walking mall. While checking out the derby cars, people can enjoy live music, food trucks, and more. The daring race down 6th Ave hill will take place Saturday afternoon with an awards ceremony taking place shortly after the races conclude.
Sauter Balloons Sculpture Fest
The balloon fest is an art walk in which downtown Helena is filled with giant balloon sculptures. It is similar to an ice carving festival, but the sculptures are bigger, more colorful, and don’t require you to come outside in freezing weather. Each sculpture will be custom designed to match the dinosaur theme, while also incorporating the event sponsors.
United Way of the Lewis & Clark Area Family Fun Fest
The FunFest offers a variety of family friendly activities including a 1k donut fun run, carnival games hosted by UW nonprofit partners, and a balloon dome house. Family Fun Fest activities will take place throughout downtown Helena during the soapbox derby and balloon sculpture fest. Activities will act as fundraisers for the various non-profits supported by United Way. There will also be a scavenger hunt to encourage attendees to visit local downtown businesses.
Event Timeline:
Friday - September 12th
Soapbox Derby Car Show, Live Music, Soapbox Derby Calcutta - Time TBD
Saturday - September 13th
11:00 AM - 1K(ish) Fun Run
1:00 - 4:30 pm(ish) - Derby Races on 6th Ave. hill
4:30 pm(ish) - Awards Ceremony in front of Ten Mile Creek Brewery
Balloon sculptures will be placed around downtown.
Sunday - September 14th
Balloon popping party in front of Ten Mile Creek Brewery - Time TBD
EVENT
REQUIREMENTS
RACE & VEHICLE
REQUIREMENTS
These instructions are only to help you get started. All cars must fit the requirements listed below.
RACE REQUIREMENTS
• Race registration is FREE but donations are encouraged. Donations will go toward local nonprofits.
• Racers must be pre-registered to participate.
​• Registration deadline is September 4, 2025.
• Race participants can be under the age of 18 but must have a valid driver's license and their parent/guardian must be present at all times during the races .
• Races will begin on Cruse Avenue (next to the Chamber Building), take a hard left down 6th Ave (with an optional jump down-course), and sail down 6th Avenue to the Walking Mall.
• Costumes are encouraged.
• All team members must wear long pants, long shirt, shoes, gloves, helmet, and goggles.
• Each team can consist of up to 3 people: 1 Racer and 2 Pushers.
• Each team will be allotted a 10x10 space to work on their Soapbox in the staging area.
• For the safety of the spectators, participants, and volunteers, anyone who appears to be intoxicated will not be allowed to race their car. The team will be given the chance to replace their team member. If they are unable to locate a new driver, the team will be disqualified from the races.
VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS
• Vehicles must be non-motorized.
• Vehicles must have at least 4 wheels.
• Vehicle Pushing must happen from the back of the vehicle and only for a short portion of the race (approximately 80 feet at the beginning of the course).
• Vehicles can be no more than 5 feet wide, 8 feet tall, and 9 feet long.
• Vehicles can weigh no more than 300 pounds, excluding the driver.
• Vehicles must have fully functioning brakes and steering.
• Braking with hands or feet is prohibited.
• Unmodified prefab vehicles are prohibited. (Basically, you can't send an unmodified Barbie car down the course.)
• No power or tools will be provided, only stoke.
• No welders, blowtorches, fire pits, or open flames of any kind are allowed at the event. Anyone team who is caught using prohibited items in the pit area will be automatically disqualified.
These instructions are only to help you get started. All cars must fit within the vehicle requirements listed above.
MAP
SPONSORS
SPONSORS
THANK YOU to our sponsors for helping bring this rad event to Helena. All funds raised from Helena Septemberfest will go to help support all the amazing things United Way does for Helena and the surrounding communities!
BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
AWARDS
RACE
REGISTRATION
Tax day doesn't have to be all bad...Registration set to open April 15, 2026!
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