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The Soapbox Derby outgrew Mission as well. As the list of competitors grew longer, local participation decreased. The whole affair was also quite costly; during the years of the Strawberry Festival, proceeds from the festival had been used to offset the costs of the derby. Even though sponsors helped with financing, the derby ran a large deficit. A lack of interest combined with the withdrawal of a major sponsor brought about the end of the Soapbox Derby in 1974.

Thanks to the interest and hard work of many people in the community, the Soapbox Derby was revived in 1999. Hopefully their hard work will be rewarded and the Soapbox Derby will remain a popular event for many years to come.

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Unfortunately, the fair's popularity was dwindling by the late 60s. It was cancelled in 1968 due to a lack of funds, and postponed again in 1969 due to "a lack of interest." The fair was reinstated in 1970, but it never regained the popularity it enjoyed in its earlier years.