WATERBORO — In a modern twist to the old pinewood derby, young people gathered Saturday at the Lakeside Community Church to compete in Cub Scout Pack 306’s LEGO Derby.

Numerous youngsters gathered at tables with plastic blocks of all sizes and colors to build a car they hoped would make it down the track in record time.

The derby was open not just to Cub Scouts, but to anyone in the community – boys and girls from kindergarten to eighth grade. All cars had to be original creations – they could not be made from box set instructions.

Cars had to be made with LEGOS – no glue or adhesives, and wheels were provided at the derby. All LEGO vehicles had to weigh at least 5 ounces, as cars that were lighter might not make it down the whole track, said Cubmaster Nancy Whitehouse.

The mood was festive Saturday, with NASCAR posters and recorded engine-revving noises.

The cars were outfitted with wheels used on pinewood derby vehicles, and the LEGO creations were raced on a sloping pinewood derby track, with six cars to a heat. Cars were judged in categories that included best design, most original and wackiest, said Pack Secretary Steve Fillmore.

The pack still holds a pinewood derby in the spring for scouts only. Often in pinewood derbies, the fathers are designing the cars, and it gets to be a “puffing out their chests kind of thing,” said Whitehouse. With the LEGO derbies, the children can create the designs and the cars “100 percent” themselves, she said.

Eight-year-old Cub Scout Sam Bouley, who had made a car for the race, said he enjoys playing with LEGOS.

“You can make anything,” he said.

Six-year-old Trever Scott was participating as a community member, and had a friend at the event who was a Cub Scout. After completing his car for the race, he and his grandmother, Linda Stanley, continued to play with LEGOS as they waited for the event to begin.

“It’s so much fun,” said Stanley. She said the event allowed the children to explore their creativity, and the participants learned about aerodynamics and what impact weight and size have on the vehicle.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext.325 or egotthelf@journaltribunecom.