Crowd pleaser: Farmington Fair’s Demolition Derby
Ryan Hutchinson of New Sharon, wires shut his trunk as he prepares to compete in tonight's demolition derby at the Farmington Fair.
FARMINGTON - With the biggest draw of the 172nd Farmington Fair set for Saturday night, officials are hoping ticket sales have improved over last year after a week of near-perfect weather.
Fair official Marcus Rowe said as of Saturday morning, ticket sales were almost even with last year's total. Generally, a total of over 20,000 people is expected for fair week, but last year's wet week brought a soggy slump at the gate with a 10 percent decrease at the gate from the previous year.
Tonight, the ever crowd-pleasing, bashing and crashing of the demolition derby may help with just how well the fair will do.
Ryan Hutchinson of New Sharon, had parked his derby entry, a Buick LaSabre, at the number two spot and was busy wiring shut the doors and trunk. He'd already taken out the glass and plastic, as required, and had painted a big number 20 in orange on the door panels. A giant orange traffic cone was affixed to the car's roof.
He was driving it and "when I couldn't get it stickered anymore, " Hutchinson said, he knew it was ready for the derby. He had bought it with an eventual date with the derby in mind.
A derby driver for years, Hutchinson said he does it "for the fun of it." The key strategy is to "try to keep from hitting the front end of your car." Backing into someone else's front end and disabling the radiator, battery or other vital engine parts is the name of the game.
By mid-afternoon there was a colorful long line up of old beaters, most decorated in spray paint with the intimidating names Brat's Ride and Crazy! A few cars had power symbols like lightning bolts painted on or were dedicated to a girlfriend or mom for luck.
Two cars down from Hutchinson, a driver stood on his orange-and-black-tiger-striped-painted hood with a sledge hammer and proceeded to pound out the glass windshield. Hutchinson glanced over and smiled. His big ol' Buick would be meeting that tiger tonight.
"It's pretty sturdy; it should do alright," he said of his entry.
The derby starts at 7 p.m. at the large grandstand at the fairgrounds.
Ryan Hutchinson's Buick, painted with a number 20, features a traffic cone on top.
Demolition Derby drivers and their fans get ready for tonight's competition.
Entries(RSS)
Good time at the derby but it would be nice not to have to deal with all the smokers. When is the fair going to catch up with the times and have designated smoking areas rather than smoking anywhere they please. An area away from the buildings and vendors and main walk ways would be a nice start. This should apply to the ride attendants and other works as well.
smokers? your out side at the franklin county fair, durning the derby. the exhaust and other fumes from all the cars with no emissions equip. on them are far worse then that. in my opinion, if you dont like it, dont go
I agree with Rick! Not just the smokers stinking the air up..It always about the smoker..Geez! And no I am not a smoker..I go and have a good time at fair...ITS OUT IN THE OPEN AIR PEOPLE!!!!
It is horrible when people smoke next to you. You get reactions like Rick who tell you "don't go then". How about not blowing smoke in peoples faces. I agree the car exhaust is bad but adding cigarette smoke to the equation doesn't make it any better. They should have a smoking area but unfortunately smokers will think that they are not harming you any so just deal with it. Rick, I do not go to the fair anymore because I do not like the cigarette smoke and yes I was a smoker at one time just in case you want to play that angle. I could care less if you want to fill your lungs with cancer but have respect for the people around you who do not.
MJ, as long as it is an outdoor function there is not much you can do about it. I took my kids to an outdoor amusement park here in Maine and some lady literally blew smoke in my son's face and when I kindly asked her not to do it I got the same reaction as Rick gave you, if you don't like it don't come here then". I contacted a state legislature rep and was told as long as it is an outdoor venue they, the government, could not force them to stop allowing smoking in the park. We are fighting a losing battle. So again, thanks to all of the smokers who could care less about the people around you and thanks for not caring about the children this affects!!!
Some folks would do us a great service by staying home.
The smoking at the fair was my only complaint! To all you smokers, if your okay with the nasty habit fine, but please don't make me or my children have to breathe it in. Its currently illegal to smoke with in 20 feet of a public entryway, all state parks and beaches, most building, all bars and restaurants... We are on our way to a healthier environment for all of us! Smokers do yourself and your family's a favor quit smoking! (I did!)
I believe the outdoor smoking is up to the property owner. If I choose not to have people smoke on my private property, outside or in, they are not allowed. Same goes for any business owner, state or government property. That is why businesses don't allow smoking "within 20 feet of entrance". The university is not allowing ANY smoking on their property, inside buildings or any outdoor space either. And that is perfectly legal.
So, if the fairgrounds, don't want smoking at the fair, they can make that call. Just like they have signs saying no dogs allowed, they can have signs that say, no smoking allowed.
I feel if we wanna smoke thats out choice....i dont agree walking threw the midway smoking as of the food places...but other places at the fair i can see it shouldnt be a problem....and smoking down at the grandstands the announcers will tell you the bleachers are for non smokers if ya wanna smoke stand down by the fence...So for you NON SMOKERS if ya dont like the smoke by the fence get up in the BLEACHERS!!!
The Derby was great. But I found the humor of the announcers to be a little bit crude. It *is* a family event after all.
I also found the smoke to be offensive. And the argument about the exhaust is weak. None of the spectators were close enough to be harmed by the exhaust. Give me a break. But the smoke, on the other hand, was everywhere you turned.
And Rick......it is your mentality that hurts our society. Looking at things from another's perspective, showing a little bit of respect and truly caring about our neighbors goes a long way. It's not all about you. Please be considerate of other people!! Smoking is optional, breathing is NOT.
The fair won't agree to it. They would lose half their ticket sales. And they have to make hay while they can.
Yea the derby was great all for fun!!! I enjoyed doing the derby!!!
I think the only thing missing from the fair is a nice big beer garden. I am sure there are a lot of fairgoers that wouldnt mind a nice cold brew at the fair. Also maybe in the future some of the local caregivers could set up some booths to show everyone what great medicinal marijauna is being grown right here in Franklin County!
I thought that the derby was fun! Not only was there hitting the cars but hitting from the drivers as well. The only issue that I had was people smoking on the stairways and the ramp to the grandstands. The non-smokers couldn't "GO IN THE GRANDSTANDS" to get away from the smoke cause the smokers were there as well! I was a smoker once too, standing down by the fence and I should not have to fight my way up the stairs through the smoke to get to my seat and have people lined up all the way around smoking on the "WOODEN GRANDSTANDS" Everyone should know there is no smoking in the grandstands and when these people where asked to move they got very rude and mouthy. Come on a little common sense, one spark in those grandstands and "poof" there gone.
These are the same complainers that were at the Blueberry Festival Parade - until cigarrette are made illegal and not sold in stores - you have to deal with it in the pubic - if not go to your state beaches and other places where it is illegal to smoke cigs - I don't smoke and for those that do that is their choice - it doesn't ruin the fun you have - if someone is blowing it in your face then move - if complaining about smokers is all you can do - you should stay home - and I like John's post about the beer garden and caregiver shack - that would really pull in the business!
I agree 100% that second hand smoke is classified as carcinogenic and we should be entitled to a "smoke free environment". We should not have to have our hair, clothes and lungs subject to that stench while the inconsiderate smokers puff away. NASCAR races are also "open air events" and they are now starting to sell SMOKE FREE sections of their bleachers. Hooray for them !
Maybe packing a squirtgun would help...
And before you smokers threaten to shoot me or beat me up for suggesting that,,
I can take care of myself.
FIGHT!!!
I was not the usual complainer. It does ruin the fun I have because my family and I have to breath that crap in and we have to smell like a walking cigarette!!! Why should I have to move because your buddy the smoker want's to blow smoke in my face. For those of you who do not like the smoking I feel as though we are fighting a losing battle trying to educate the people who cannot or will not open there eyes to facts of what harm cigarette smoke causes. There defense, as an opinion stated previously, would be that the cars are letting out unhealthy chemicals so why not add cigarette smoke to the equation. I still see people smoking with there kids in the car but at least they have there windows opened(sarcasm)!!!!
I'm an ex smoker. (2 years now) and If your outside I'm sorry if you don't like smoke MOVE.... Smokers have rights too.
It was such a nice change to have smoking prohibited from the food booths with people sitting at the windows this year. Almost everyone was very careful to obey the signs, too. For a while, I was hoping that the entire fair was now smoke-free, but every little bit helps. If people can manage to get along with three widely-spaced bathrooms, I can't imagine that smokers couldn't get used to going to some designated areas if they really can't bear to be without their nicotine for a few hours. The only problem might be if children with two smoking guardians had to stand in them, too -- I can remember being forced to sit in the the smoking area of restaurants as a minor, and it wasn't pleasant.
Smokers have rights to pollute my lungs. Good to know!!!
My husband is a smoker I have asthma. He has the respect for me and others around him to go by the fence or somewhere it is not going to offend anyone.
What about the wedding proposal that must of been a highlight :)
My, what an entitled society we've become. You folks make me want to smoke!
Good one Junior!
This was suppose to be about the derby not smoking outside !!!!!! The derby was great !!!
I wonder what would happen if for one day people wouldn't bitch and moan. I think they call that North Korea. Enjoy it all folks, the smoke included. We are lucky to be able to be AT an event, North Koreans are told what to SAY at an event, and we all complain because we have to DEAL with smoke at an event. Be appreciative and not so negative. I bet you would enjoy life more if you took that approach instead. Now, bring on the negative responses please and thanks ;)
Well, this is not North Korea and I do feel lucky to have the rights that I have in this country. I just do not like the cancer causing 2nd hand smoke in my face. What is so wrong with not wanting cigarette smoke blown in my face? Have smoking areas that would be fine with me. What type of person finds it ok to smoke around children? I really do not get it and obviously the smokers do not get it or do not care about the health of others. If me caring about my children's health and posting comments about the smoke is negative than I guess am just a caring/negative parent. Your welcome realistic and I will try to "enjoy it all" because I should be a proud citizen of the USA who inhales 2nd hand smoke.
Geesh, I thought I was checking in to hear about the fun had at the derby. Guess not.
Smokers vs. non-smokers. ROFL. Act like adults. The argument that they can't make the fair smoke free as nobody would go is funny. they said the same thing about restaurants, and bars. If you are going to offer something like that it should be done so with something to back it.
I often wonder too what would happend if there was one day around Farmington/Wilton where people would not bitch and moan, LOL, get a life people!!!!! The Derby was a great time had by all except for the usual complainers of the area.
The derby would have been enjoyable if not for redneck inc blowing smoke in peoples faces,,,
So,,,As usual some cluelss idiot ruined it for many others while he had a great time,,,
And some of you think that's ok??
Shows what you're made of,,,right there.
Good Luck in the cancer clinic.
I only agree that the derby is great and smoker or not...smoking should not happen in the wooden grandstand.
I am soooooooooooooooooooooooo sick of ppl talking about the smokers...Geez! Its our decision if we want to get lung cancer or die quicker than you....I am a smoker yes I am but I do have respect for the non smoker. I go somewhere way away out of ppls personal space and have a smoke even if its going back to my car.
So for the judgmental non smokers, if someone is blowing it in your face..speak to them and say it bothers u..if they dont stop then maybe you should move.
I get so sick of listening to the non smokers, especially someone like "enjoyable for who"! that run off at the mouth.. I pay my way in to the fair too, there is no sign saying not to smoke on the grounds is there? No I wouldnt smoke in the stands BECAUSE I RESPECT the person that doesnt smoke and THATS WHAT I AM MADE OF! But if I still smoke and get cancer then its my damn fault..I am sure every one of you have something in your closet that would make a smoker start in on you about it!
Geez just cut the bull already....
oh, you whiny non-smokers, get over it! I quit 23 years ago and have become allergic to smoke since, but I do tolerate it when I am in a mixed crowd. You aren't going to get cancer by putting up with it occasionally, that's a lot of BS.
uh, sue... chill out. the comment was about inconsiderate people blowing smoke in others' faces. if you are not one of those people, why should you get so worked up? when i hear people complain about people complaining about rude smokers, all i hear is, "i have a right to be an obnoxious jerk, so stuff it!"
dear non smoking cheese needing whiners....... if ur standing next to a smoker and they say hey im gonna light up would you mind moving over there so i can smoke....... are you going to move? if i blow smoke its going to travel whichever way the winds blowing, maybe we should blame mother nature for wind direction, or maybe some people at there age should remember not to long ago you could walk around walmart smoking a cig...........we all have habits bad or good, if you have bad breath im gonna walk away right? you dont like my smoke, beat feet pal!!