Pack 359 to host Pinewood Derby and spaghetti fundraiser Jan. 25 at Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds

Pack 359 will hold a Pinewood Derby race and spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the community building in the Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds in Lebanon, organizers said.

The event pairs the traditional Cub Scout Pinewood Derby — a wooden block car race many local residents remember from childhood — with a community spaghetti dinner to raise money to support scouting activities and scholarships. Dustin O'Brien, a Cub Scout leader, said the fundraiser is both a nostalgia event and a practical effort to help families afford scouting. "I've been doing this for 35 years," O'Brien said. "We want to support them. And those that are less fortunate to make sure scouting is available for all, and raise the funds to help these families have adventures."

Denise Niblick, a scout parent attending with her child, described the program’s family appeal and the confidence it gives children. "She knows what day it is," Niblick said about her daughter’s excitement for scout meetings. "It's that to me is — you can't fake that enthusiasm."

Tickets are available in advance on Eventbrite for $10; day-of admission is $15. Children 5 and under are free, organizers said. The podcast promoting the event noted that a limited number of cars and supplies may be available at the fairgrounds for people who do not bring their own. The podcast host said additional event details and ticket links were posted in the episode description.

Organizers said the Derby aims to attract a wide public turnout: families with current scouts, former scouts, local leaders and community members who want to support Pack 359. O'Brien said the community building has hosted the Pinewood Derby for decades and that the event is meant to connect multiple generations of scouts, from young children to adults who remember the race from their youth. He also noted Camp Belzer and other regional scouting activities as examples of programming the funds help support.

No formal votes or municipal actions were taken during the podcast discussion; the episode served to publicize the fundraiser and explain the Pack's goals. The hosts encouraged residents to attend whether to race a car, have dinner, learn about scouting or support scholarships and programming. The podcast indicated information about tickets and how to learn more about Pack 359 would remain in the episode description and on local Eventbrite listings.

The Pinewood Derby and spaghetti dinner are presented as both a fundraiser and a community event that organizers say will highlight scouting's legacy in Lebanon and help underwrite scholarships and activities for the coming year.