Fair finishes with crowds, crashing cars

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August 6, 2012

Fair finishes with crowds, crashing cars

By Denise Richardson Staff Writer The Daily Star Mon Aug 06, 2012, 03:30 AM EDT

MORRIS -- Crashing cars, racing horses and carnival activities set a bustling tone at the Otsego County Fair on Sunday.

On Sunday afternoon, crowds in the grandstand cheered drivers during the Demolition Derby from the moment they appeared on the track until cars were driven or towed away after intense smashing.

The Demolition Derby, an event presented Thursday and Sunday, helps boost attendance, said fair officials who estimated total attendance during the week to be about the same as last year -- about 36,000. The fair started Tuesday and ended Sunday.

Jeff Jones of Unadilla, who attended Thursday's derby, said he returned to see more adrenaline-pumping action Sunday.

"It's crazy how these cars take a beating and keep running," Jones said. "I'll be here all night -- all night."

More than 100 cars were registered for derby events Sunday, officials said.

At 1:45 p.m., 14 drivers in a youth division lined up for the first of heats scheduled into the night. Drivers revved their engines, and after a countdown by the crowd of five to one, they pulled out of parking spots to line up along the competition strip.

Seconds later, metal crumpled, wheels were out of joint and tires deflated. Cars smashed into clusters, giving the crowd a moment of suspense until a few cars could be seen moving back or forward enough to smash again.

The derby ends in about 5 minutes, and the undriveable cars are towed out by pickup trucks.

Austin Smith, 12, of Mount Upton, put on a helmet, neck guard and goggles and sat behind the wheel next to Dave Finch, a family friend and coach in the passenger seat of the Buick Century. Austin said he was "shaky" initially but knew what to do when the starting flag went down.

"I just took it out there," he said. He was among four drivers whose cars were still running at the end of the first heat, qualifying to compete later in the day.

Beyond the grandstand, horseback riders were lined up to compete in barrel racing.

Doug Roberts, a horseman serving his first year on the Otsego County Fair Board of Directors, said participation in 4-H and other equine activities was up between 40 percent and 50 percent this year. He attributed the increase to attendance by riders seeking contests closer to home to save on gasoline and seeking points in the local Tri-Valley Horseman's Association.

Kaci Madison of Downsville said she attended the fair, which she said was disorganized, to earn the competitive points. Her horse, Lydia Hawk's Diamond Fantasy, initially balked at going through a gate to start the race. But after dismounting and leading her into the arena, Madison remounted, and the duo won a round of clover-leaf barrel racing with a time of 18.225 seconds.

Krista Curpier of Fly Creek said she was pleased with the work Clover, a Kiger Mustang mare, did in a variety of competitions during the week.

"She's done what I've asked," Curpier said while waiting for another barrel race Sunday.

Meanwhile, across the fairgrounds, the mechanical bases and arms of midway rides continued repetitive motions in circles and arches.

The aroma of fried foods lingered in the air, which already seemed heavy because of humidity. Clouds sheltered fairgoers from the intense heat of previous days, and showers held off in the afternoon and early night.

Fair manager Judy Harris said some days this past week seemed "extremely hot" and kept attendance down. But nights were cooler, she said, and crowds arrived.

"The weather has a lot to do with it," Harris said. Participation in livestock, sheep and goat activities at the traditional agricultural fair were on par with last year, she said, and overall, "things have been going well."