Snow, cardboard and glue

While this winter's heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures confined many people to indoor warmth, others reveled in the perfect conditions for the third annual Snow Box Derby.\nHeld Feb. 8 and 9 at "Tubes Are Us," located at 2887 St. Road 46 W, the event drew a crowd of more than 250 people to the slopes. The Snow Box Derby was sponsored by the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department and was first introduced as a way to present the community with more family-oriented activities.\n"The derby is an interesting and imaginative event that offers the community a great opportunity to work together," said Julie Ramey, community relations manager at the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. "It also gives everyone a chance to have fun in the snow."\nThe Snow Box Derby challenged participants to use their imagination and creativity by constructing their own racers using only cardboard, tape, paint, glue. Metals of any kind were not permitted. The snow boxes were also required to be no more than six feet wide, and hold their racers entirely, feet first.\n"We saw everything from a slab of cardboard to pretty elaborate creations such as the Pentagon and Sponge Bob Square Pants," Ramey said.\nThe Snow Box Derby was split into individual, family and business categories. The winners had the fastest combined time after two runs down the green and blue slopes. Trophies were also awarded first and second place in each category, as well as for the most creative sled.\nUnited Rentals, who took second place in last year's business category, spent over a month constructing the perfect snow box for this year. Bob Allen, manager of United Rentals, said the company was relieved to finally to win with its "skid steer's" fastest time of 6.30 seconds.\n"We will definitely be back next year," Allen said. "The Snow Box Derby is a great way for area businesses to get to know each other on a more personal level."\nThe Hoosier Hills Food Bank also participated in this year's derby for the second time. Dan Taylor, assistant director at the food bank said his staff spent countless hours constructing their snow box designed to resemble a prehistoric shark.\n"We still have yet to win," Taylor said. "We are determined to get better and to win a trophy next winter."\nRamey said the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department was satisfied with the overall turnout, despite the unusually cold temperatures.\n"Our ultimate goal in holding the Snow Box Derby was for people to be safe and have fun," Ramey said. "In that respect, we were 110 percent successful"