Demo derby, mud bog events promise spectators plenty of action and excitement

For area residents looking for some fun and mayhem, the Whitley County Fair has just what you’re looking for.

The fan-favorite demolition derby is returning to the fairgrounds this year on Thursday, July 13, at 7 p.m. with plenty of excitement for festival-goers.

There will be three car classes participating in the derby: front wheel drive vehicles, big car and minivan/SUV. Wayne Carr, one of the event’s organizers, said that if there aren’t enough registrants for the minivan/SUV class, they will run with the front wheel drive vehicles. However, if the vehicle has a full frame, that will automatically move it to the big car class.

Carr said that he wants those in attendance to have fun, but the ultimate goal is safety and equality.

“We need to make sure that all cars are safe,” said Carr. “We’ll try to make sure it’s competitive, but everyone will have a fair chance to win. We just want everyone to have fun.”

There is a $20 entry fee for each driver and a medical waiver is required before drivers can participate. The waiver can be picked up at the Whitley County Judge-Executive’s Office during regular business hours or at the registration tent once the fair is underway.

All drivers must be 21 years old or older to participate.

Another popular event will take place on Saturday, July 15, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the annual mud bog. Contestants in each division will battle it out on four-wheelers and in four-wheel drive trucks to see who can go the fastest through a bevy of mud-filled pits.

The four divisions for this year’s mud bog include: street class, 33 and under (vehicles must have wheels 33 inches or less), 34 to 38 (tires must be between 34 inches and 38 inches), and outlaw. The street class requires all vehicles to have Department of Transportation-regulated tires with no modifications. The outlaw class is open to all vehicles willing to test the course.

Drivers for both events are required to be signed in and at the respective locations at least 30 minutes prior to the event’s start time.

For a full list of rules and requirements for each event, visit the Whitley County Fair’s Facebook profile.