Driver getting out after rollover. Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
HURRICANE – The Annual Washington County Fair concluded Saturday with a morning half-marathon and fun run in Hurricane, a parade of floats on Tabernacle Street in St. George, another full day of exhibits and carnival fun at the fairgrounds and the always anticipated crash, bash and flash of the final night: The Demolition Derby followed by a closing fireworks display filling the night sky.
The Demolition Derby is a spectacle in which drivers compete by ramming their cars and trucks into one another – on purpose. Hitting the driver’s side door is prohibited and is means of possible disqualification if the hit was intentional. The last running car to make contact with another vehicle wins that heat or round.
This year’s Demolition Derby was complete with a dramatic rollover crunch of metal, with drivers glorying in their conquests, safe and sound if not spot-free. The red dirt of Southern Utah adds almost as much color to the Derby and its drivers as the creative designs on on the demo machines themselves. Not even spectators are spared the dirt.
The vehicles used in demolition derbies take a lot of time and attention to prepare. They are completely stripped down. There are no lighting fixtures, glass is removed, and the doors are welded shut. In order to get into the vehicle, the driver usually has to climb through a window.
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Videocast by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
A lot of work goes into preparing a car for the derby.
“Probably one like this took us 3 months to build,” husband and wife team, Pat and Amanda Hunter, said, “day and night.”
The demolition derby, like the whole fair, is for everyone.
“Husband, wife, dad does it. It’s a family event,” Amanda Hunter said.
Until next year …
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
Washington County Fair Fun Run, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Lineup for the Washington County Fair Parade, Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Four queens float in keeping with the "Lucky 13" theme of the Washington County Fair. Parade, Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Washington County Fair Parade, Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Winning float at the Washington County Fair Parade, Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Demolition Derby arena. The Washington County Fair Grounds provide a large space for the Demolition Derby to take place. There are cement barriers to show drivers where the track begins and ends. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Demolition Derby lineup, Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo courtesy of John Ellis, St. George News
Demolition Derby lineup, Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo courtesy of John Ellis, St. George News
Demolition Derby lineup, Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo courtesy of John Ellis, St. George News
An engine with high performance 327 double-hump heads. Demolition Derby lineup, Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo courtesy of John Ellis, St. George News
Lineup at the Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Demolition Derby lineup, Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo courtesy of John Ellis, St. George News
Demolition Derby. Demolition derby cars are unlike any cars you see. They are completely stripped of lighting, plastic, and glass. They are often painted in bright colors so they are easily seen and the doors are welded shut. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Kids at the Demolition Derby. This event is for every one of all ages. There were even drivers at the age of 8 who participated in the demolition derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Grandstands. Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Disqualified. Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Powder-puffs at the Demolition Derby. This car was raced in the powder-puff heat. This heat is where women lined up to do a figure-8 race. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Demolition Derby. A lot of time goes into taking a regular car and turning it into a demolition derby vehicle. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Flag guys. Flags raise the start and finish of the race. They are waved to get the attention of the drivers. If a problem arises during the event, flags will be raised to alert the drivers. Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Rollover 1 of 8. Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Rollover 2 of 8. Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Demolition derby, Washington County Fair, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Rollover 3 of 8. Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Rollover 4 of 8. Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Rollover 5 of 8. Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Rollover 6 of 8. Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Rollover 7 of 8. Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Rollover 8 of 8. Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Driver getting out after rollover. Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Driver after the rollover. Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Sam Magee. Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Surprise Homecoming 1 of 2. Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Surprise homecoming 2 of 2. Demolition Derby. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Grand Finale Fireworks Show. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Grand Finale Fireworks Show. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Grand Finale Fireworks Show. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Grand Finale Fireworks Show. Washington County Fair 2013, Washington County Regional Park, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 10, 2013 | Photo by Jeremy Crawford, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Samantha Tommer is completing her studies at Dixie State University. She is currently working towards her bachelor's degree in integrated studies with a combined major of mass communication and criminal justice. She has had experience with broadcast journalism since 2011. She started off as a producer for DSU's news show, State of the Storm. While producing, she took up the interest in becoming a reporter. She has worked with Dixie Sun News as multimedia editor as well as a co-anchor for the Dixie Sun News Show. Samantha brings her love for and experience in broadcast journalism as a vital member of the St. George News team.
Never been to a crash up derby before. Saturday changed that, and it was awesome! When the green truck smashed the black truck into oblivion, no one was sitting down. And when the driver got out safely, it was even better. Great pics. Great video.
Never been to a crash up derby before. Saturday changed that, and it was awesome! When the green truck smashed the black truck into oblivion, no one was sitting down. And when the driver got out safely, it was even better. Great pics. Great video.