GLENDON - On Aug. 9, the Glendon Derby grounds will come alive with the sounds of trucks, cars, mega trucks and other vehicles tearing around a dirt track as the Glendon Demolition Derby and Mud Bogs returns for another year.
According to Ken Pshyk, president of the Glendon Agricultural Society, this year’s Glendon Demolition Derby and Mud Bogs, which is in its 33rd year, will feature a full day of activities that gets underway with a pancake breakfast at the RCMP Hall in Glendon at 8 a.m.
“That’s hosted by the seniors,” he said.
Once people have had a hearty pancake breakfast, they can check out the farmers’ market that will also be held at the RCMP Hall from 8 a.m. until noon, and then they can watch the parade that gets underway at 10 a.m.
“It starts by the arena,” Pshyk explained.
Following the parade, members of the Glendon Fire Department will be hosting a barbecue at the Fire Station #3.
The derby grounds, which are located two miles north of Glendon, open at 11 a.m. There is a live drivers’ auction at noon, and the derby starts at 1 p.m.
For the live drivers’ auction, all the vehicles that are there to compete in the event are lined up and a live auction is held. People bid on the vehicles and receive cash prizes for the ones that win.
“[Cash prizes are] dependent on how much auction money is raised,” he said.
Categories
The mud bogs usually have two to three categories - street class, stock class, and modified class.
The derby also has three categories - trucks, cars, and this year, possibly a feather weight truck designed for newcomers and young competitors.
“The derby has always been the main attraction. The mud bogs was kind of a smaller thing that happened, but more recently, both events have just taken off,” said Pshyk. “People come to see the mud bogs just as much as they come to see the derby.”
The demolition derby will take place first, followed by the mud bogs. The pits for the mud bog run are right beside the derby ring. There are two lanes where competitors race through the mud.
“There’s action happening all the time . . . very rarely is there nothing happening,” he said.
As for the prizes that participants can win in the derby and mud bog races, according to Pshyk, there will be $22,600 worth of guaranteed in prize money this year.
During the intermission, the Bonnyville-based company Dynamo Small Engine Sales & Service does a demonstration of lawnmower races.
“They soup up these lawnmowers, and they go around the track, and they fly, and they race,” he said.
The Glendon Demolition Derby and Mud Bogs is a main fundraiser for the Glendon Agricultural Society, and also gets other organizations from the community involved. Community groups help out by setting up fencing, working the 50/50 draw, and working at the concession stands and bar.
“Basically, this is a huge community event.”
