County Considers Demo Derby for 2020 Fair

POMEROY-Pat Bly, Demo Derby promoter, met with the Garfield County Commissioners Monday, January 27, 2020, to make a presentation and ask for permission to conduct car races and a demolition derby on Saturday night of the 2020 Garfield County Fair. He has already presented the idea to the Fair Board, but was directed to the County Commissioners for the final authorization.

Bly said his company provides the entire set up, tear down and damage control; spectator bleachers, straw bales for walls around the arena. They operate the event independently and assume complete responsibility from start to finish. The racing company supplies their own liability insurance with $1 million in coverage and they repair any damage that is done to the arena area by the vehicles.

They would also like to include a Beer Garden and a couple of their own food vendors; for the event timeframe only. The Beer Garden will operate separately and bring its own equipment, set up and tear down the same day, and provide their own insurance. Ticket sales will be handled by their own people and the race company pays ten percent (10%) of their proceeds to the Fair Board.

Patrons of the beer garden will pay a $15 fee to enter and will not be allowed to leave the area with their drinks. The entry fee will also cover admission to the event. Bly assured the commissioners that all vehicles used at the event will be equipped with special fuel tanks that prevent any fire danger. He also added that events like this attract at least 30 participating cars, and likely 45 to 50. Each car pays an entry fee which goes towards the gate fee to the fair. They would require a 200 foot by 150 foot area to use for the arena, which would be outside of any arenas already in use at the fairgrounds.

Bly did request that the County provide fire and emergency medical services during the event, as well and $500 as an initial start-up cost. He explained that this is a common practice for county fairs, and that Dayton pays $2,500 each year for the event held at their county fair. Bly stated that the ticket price they would charge at the Garfield County Fair would be less than what is charged at the Nez Perce County Fair. He is offering the reduced cost and ticket prices so that they can get established here.

Commissioner Justin Dixon said that Bly would need to talk to the Garfield County Fire District and work the details out about having fire and EMS present at the event.

After looking at a map showing the planned location for the race arena, Dixon also stated that he did not think the location would work well because it would restrict access for fairgoers. Bly responded that they could certainly choose another location that would work better, but felt that the timing of the event, 6:45–10 p.m., would be late enough to avoid interference with other fair activities.

Commissioner Bob Johnson said he would like to check with Adam Hodges to see if the County’s risk pool would approve the $1 million in insurance as enough coverage. The commissioners also asked Bly to provide some references. Bly responded that Walla Walla and Dayton have allowed the event with the same amount of coverage, and agreed to provide the references. He added that the demo derby brings in more money to the county fairs in Walla Walla than the rodeo and concert events combined.

No decision was made at the meeting, but the commissioners appeared more favorable towards the proposal than before the presentation.