No one seems to know just how long the Marlborough scouts Pinewood Derby has existed, but there are fathers and some grandfathers who recall the event from their childhoods.

After a three year hiatus due to the pandemic, Boy Scouts from Troop 72 and Cub Scouts Pack 73 returned last Saturday participate in the Pinewood Derby at the Marlboro Intermediate School.

Cub Master Tara-Joy Noto said both cub scouts and boy scouts participated in the derby, as well as a few adults and their families who raced their own wooden “machines” after the scouts were finished.

“I am Cub Master for the little guys and myself, John Cantone and Joe Desole all have kids in boy scouts but not cub scouts, but we’re still keeping the cub scouts together.”

Cub Scouts start out in elementary school and transition to Boy Scouts in the 6th grade.

“Today we have several boy scouts here helping us out to get service hours toward their merit badges,” she said. “It’s really exciting, we’ve got a lot of little kids that have never done it before and the lions and tigers are kindergarten and first grade so this is all new to them. The kids are so excited and this is the best event that we have in the year.”

Tara said it is good to be back.

“It’s really nice and it’s for the kids and we have a great time doing it,” she said. “This is a great turnout, we’re so happy.”

Cantone thanked everyone for coming, pointing out that they have been trying to bring back the Pinewood Derby for a long time. He also thanked Gael Appler Jr for storing the track and other equipment at the Milton Fire House and for setting it all up for the race. He said the fire department is the primary supporter of the scouts and urged the public to help the department in any way they can.

Cantone thanked the Marlboro School district for allowing the scouts to use their facilities for events.

“Everything we do is really at a school facility for the most part, our pack meetings, our Pinewood Derby, our swimming program at the high school and anything you can think of,” he said.

Cantone explained how the derby works, knowing that many of them are new to the event. He said the different dens of lions, tiger, wolf, bear and webelos will all run together in the same race and the prizes will be distributed out by dens.

Cantone said each three car race is known as a ‘heat’ and the results will be put up on a screen, along with the name of the entrant. The speed of each car will also be posted.

“Everybody is going to get a shot on each lane at least twice during the course of the race,” he said. “Those with the fastest times will win first place followed by second and third place and the same thing with the overall. Trust the computer, it will figure it all out.”

Cantone highlighted what happens with the overall winner.

“The top first place will bring home the Piston Cup trophy. Their name will go on a small plaque that will be placed on the trophy and you get to keep it at your house for a year,” he said. “So parents make room on the dresser for whomever wins.”

In the overall tally, First Place went to Royce Lent, who takes home the Piston Trophy for a year, Ethan Macchiaroli came in 2nd and Lukas Magyar took 3rd place.

There also was a vote on the cars: Scoutmaster’s Choice went to Michael Charette, Scouts Choice went to Hunter Meyer and the Most Creative nod went to Blake Sullivan.