With the roar of the engines and cheer of the crowd, the Demo Derby is always a big draw in the Battlefords community. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Summertime tradition

Battlefords Demolition Derby entering 38th year

Jul 18, 2023 | 3:13 PM

The engines are ready to roar, and the tires to kick the dust up at the 38^th Annual Western Canadian Finals Demolition Derby in North Battleford.

Taking place this Saturday, July 22 at the North Battleford exhibition grounds, the event now nearing its fourth decade as a staple of the summer months for the Battlefords Ag. Society, will be heading into its third year since becoming a standalone event separate from the summer exhibition.

Gates will open at 10 a.m., with the show to begin at noon.

Co-organizer of the event, Blair Walker said heading into the weekend the anticipation for this year’s event has been palpable.

“There’s always an excitement in the air with the derby and everything, [and] everyone likes to see cars smash together so it should be a good time,” he said with a smile.

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Prior to eventually being rained out due to heavy downpour and hail, last year’s Demo Derby was among the best turnouts the event has seen, with a packed grandstands, leading to additional seating being brought in for this year.

“Last year was a great turnout and we’re hoping for even more this year,” Walker said. “We bumped [the Derby] up a month now just to see if we can get some more people out, and we’re adding a couple more standup bleachers on the sides there so people aren’t [needing to] sit on the ground.”

With already more drivers signed up for this year’s event than this time last year, the growing numbers of those involved is reflected by the growth of the event itself.

In addition to the usual crash-and-bang staples, this year’s derby will also see the return of a few newer favourites as well. Monster Truck Rides which were added last year will be back, in addition to new events such as the Chain and Bang, which Walker called a bit of a throwback to the derby’s earlier years.

“The Chain and Bang is an event that used to be what the Derby was, back in the 2000s and early 2010s, and it’s just more crushing of the cars,” he said. “It won’t take much for them to smash together so it will be a good show and you get a lot of the ‘oohs and ahhs’ from the crowd.”

Saturday night there will also be a new wrinkle, with the addition of a Cabaret for ages 19+ to cap the evening at 8 p.m. at the Agrivilla, which will feature live musical entertainment by local band, Danny and the Dusters.

Gate admission for the Demo Derby is $10, with ages six and under free to attend as accompanied by an adult. Cabaret tickets are $15, with admission to both the Derby and Cabaret available for $20.

For more information on the 38^th Annual Demolition Derby, visit the Battlefords Ag. Society website or Demo Derby Facebook page, or call (306) 445-2024.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1