West Columbia is looking for big crowds in the streets this spring.

After being cancelled due to COVID-19 for the last two years, West Columbia’s Kinetic Derby Day is scheduled for April 23. It starts at 10 a.m., and the awards ceremony is at 4 p.m.

The 2022 Kinetic Derby Day will feature a large Ferris wheel at the intersection of State and Meeting streets.

“We’re really looking forward to the return of Kinetic Derby Day,” said Anna Huffman, City of West Columbia communications director. She said the event attracts thousands of visitors from all around the state. It will be the third Kinetic Derby Day and it includes art, soapbox racing and an obstacle course.

“The obstacle course is new this year,” Huffman said. “It’s for the derby cars that compete in the soapbox race.”

In the past there has been a Kinetic Derby Day parade, but there will not be one in April.

In addition to the soapbox competition, Huffman said interactive STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) vendors will be on hand.

There will also be a stage on State Street that will feature dance troops and bands.

Steve Cohen is the president of the WeCo River District Merchants Association. Members of the association will work Kinetic Derby Day as volunteers.

“Kinetic Derby Day is in the heart of the River District,” Cohen said. “It’s a great event and we’re so glad to see it come back. It generates lots of business for our members. We’re so happy that the City of West Columbia does it.”