CAR WRECK — A total of 52 drivers and 56 cars took part in last Saturday night's demolition derby at the Alleghany County Fairgrounds. The event, which is an annual fundraiser for the Alleghany County Fair and the Alleghany Fairgrounds Inc., was attended by more than 2,100 people.

Derby draws more than 2,100

It often happens that a car crash scene can draw a crowd. But the scene of dozens of car crashes — most of them intentional and none totally unexpected — can draw enough of a crowd to constitute one of Alleghany County's most popular annual events and a major fundraiser for the county fair.

Alleghany County Fair Committee Chair April Caudill said the 2003 Demolition Derby recorded 2,178 paid admissions last Saturday night. At $5 a head, the derby, held at the fairgrounds, therefore grossed more than $10,000. The fair will still have to pay a number of expenses related to organizing the event out of that total.

The derby is a fundraiser for the Alleghany County Agricultural Fair, Caudill said, helping to support the fair's other programs. The fair proper began Monday.

"I think the spectators and the drivers alike had a great night," she said of the derby. She said she heard comments about how much fun it was. "It was a wonderful kickoff to the week of the fair."

There was some doubt earlier in the day about whether the event would proceed, with showers Friday night (Aug. 15) and a midday shower Saturday. Caudill said fair officials kept close tabs on National Weather Service reports and kept in touch with all the drivers. "When it started clearing at 1 (p.m.), we told everyone it was a go."

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