Pole bending, sprint race will be held before main competition on Aug. 23

By Debbie Raney

Burns Times-Herald 

The crunching of a fender, the smashing of a hood and the bashing of a door — spectators will have the opportunity to see it all once again at the 39th annual Harney County Demolition Derby on Aug. 23.

But, along with the derby, some new action will be added to evening. According to Harney County Fair Manager Don Slone, the derby event has been enlarged with more ATV events and an after-derby dance. Beginning at 6 p.m. riders in three age divisions will compete for trophies in an “ATV rodeo.”

Competition will be held in pole bending and a sprint race prior to the demolition derby, and a barrel race will be held during the derby intermission. Trophies will be presented to the champion of each event in the “young guns,” “junior” and “senior” divisions. An entry fee of $5 per event will be charged.  

The demolition derby will begin at 7 p.m. and will once again include a “beauty contest” and a “powder-puff” heat, along with the main event. Prize money will be awarded in each heat, the powder-puff and the main event, along with trophies for each winner.

The prize money for the night totals $3,800. Following the derby, a dance with live music by Pete Ford and Texas Hold ’em will be held in the Memorial Building at the fairgrounds.

Ford performs a wide range of selections and styles of material, inspired by country music legends such as Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash. He has opened for such artists as Michelle Wright, Joe Diffie, Dan Seals, Hank Thompson and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, as well as performing live at fairs and resorts across the northwest, including the Pendleton Roundup and Bronc Billy’s in Sisters.

The dance is included in the demolition derby admission costs. Tickets for the derby, which is sponsored by the Harney County Fair, Burns Ford Garage and A Parts, are on sale at A Parts, Big R, Tumbleweed Floral and Broadway Deli.

Prices are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 6-12. To enter a car in the derby, an ATV in the rodeo, or to obtain more information on the events, call the fairgrounds office at 573-6447, or go to the Web site at: www.co.harney.or.us/fairgrounds.htm.