Demolition derby is a smashing success
FRANKLIN TWP. — The sound of roaring engines and crashing metal were quite the juxtaposition to the smell of carnival food and a blue sky at the Big Butler Fair on Monday, July 1.
The derby began at 7 p.m. with children in brightly painted Power Wheels facing off against each other, waving their blue flags signifying their inspection before the derby began.
“The demo derby is one of the best-attended events of any fair, including ours,” Big Butler Fair vice president Clint Cehily said.
The demolition derby has been a part of the Big Butler Fair “for as long as I can remember,” Cehily said.
Frances and Jeremy Hejduk, owners of Derbydog Inc., said they had more than 50 cars participating in the derby. This is their first year promoting the Big Butler Fair, “and we hope to come back,” Frances Hejduk said. They have been promoting derbies for more than 15 years.
“I’m a big supporter of kids and stuff,” Hejduk said.
The demolition derby encourages youth involvement with a youth class competing. The youth class, aimed at riders between ages 10 and 16, ran first after young riders between the ages of 3 and 10 participated in a demolition derby of their own with Power Wheels.
“It’s fun to watch,” Hejduk said. “I’m on every side of the fence.”
The demolition derby featured five classes: Street stock full-size, stock mini van/truck/SUV, street stock compact, windshield (also called “gut and go”), and youth compact.
Around 6 p.m., an hour before the demolition derby began, people began to file into the grandstand to make sure they got a seat.
“I’ve been coming out here since I was little,” said Gaij Duncan, a Butler resident. “My family shows horses out here.”
In addition to bringing a crowd from Butler County, people from other counties came to watch the demolition derby.
“I just love seeing everybody and spending time with people,” said Ridgeway resident Ronda Smith. This is Smith’s first time attending Big Butler Fair’s demolition derby. After seeing the Big Butler Fair had a demolition derby, Smith said they decided to come and see it. Smith said it reminds her of the time she spent with her father.
“It’s fun for the kids,” said Melissa Tarr, whose grandson was supposed to compete in the demolition derby. Tarr’s grandson is the third generation to compete in demolition derbies.
Big Butler Fair runs from until Saturday and is the biggest agricultural fair in Western Pennsylvania. It draws more than 100,000 people from Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and West Virginia.
