Future of fair demo derby uncertain

The Sanders County Fair might have wrecked its last car demolition derby car, the result of an insurance problem, according to Sanders County Commissioner Carol Brooker, who continues to work with the county’s insurance company to rectify the situation.

The Plains Lions Club and the fair have co-sponsored the derby for the last 45 years. It was discovered after Plains Lions Club member Ron Warren was injured during the derby last year that neither the club nor the fair had insurance to cover a mishap in the arena. Chuck Wassinger, the club’s treasurer, said they had insurance, but it didn’t cover the arena. The fair’s insurance covers only the spectators. Without the coverage, the fair won’t be able to put on the event, according to Brooker.

“We really hate to lose the derby. It’s really more important to the Lions Club because the club gives it all back to the community and they do a lot of awesome things in the community,” said Brooker, who added that the insurance company that handles Sanders County also covers many of the other Montana county fairs.

Of the four major fair events, the demo derby is the biggest draw and the biggest moneymaker for the fair, said Fair Manager Chris McGuigan. The derby fetched around $68,000 last year. He said that without the derby there would be some 4,000 fewer people on the fairgrounds on the Sunday of the fair, which he said would also financially impact vendors and the carnival, along with the food and drink vendors of the Sanders County Concessions Group and the Fair Foundation, which operates the beer garden. Both are nonprofit organizations that in turn use their earnings to benefit Sanders County communities. Brooker said the loss of that many people also impacts hotels, restaurants and gas stations in the area.

The demolition derby is the biggest fundraiser for the Lions, which puts on several free events for the community, including an Easter egg hunt and a Halloween hot dog roast. They also provide free eye exams at schools and takes care of the Plains wading pool, which is where most of their earnings from the derby goes, said Duane Highcrane, the club president.

“The majority of the money we net from the derby goes to the wading pool, so without some kind of funding for that pool, we’ll have a tough time keeping the wading pool open,” said Wassinger.

Last year, the club’s portion of the derby take was $13,500. However, the Lions pay for the trophies and prize money for derby winners. Highcrane said they only profited about $5,100 – $3,300 of that goes to pay for the wading pool upkeep and lifeguards. The president said he contacted a dozen insurance companies and none “would even touch us” for the derby.

Highcrane believes last year was the first time that a Lions member had been injured during a derby since the club took over in 1972 under the leadership of Dave Helterline, a member since 1958. McGuigan still hopes for the derby, but told the board alternatives should be considered, just in case. The manager mentioned several possibilities, such as a circus, concert, comedy act, motocross, or a monster truck competition, as a replacement. “Whatever we do, we’re going to have to be really creative,” said McGuigan, who took over the management job last year. Brooker said that whatever event they do, they plan to include the Lions Club.

The fair board is also searching for a new carnival company for the fair. Davis Amusement Cascadia, which has serviced the fair for nearly 25 years, is downsizing and won’t be present this year, said McGuigan, who has researched several interested replacements, though only one – Paradise Amusement of Coeur d’ Alene – stood out. Paradise Amusements presented the fair with a contract that offered a higher percentage than the previous carnival. McGuigan passed on to the board that Paradise Amusement agreed to supply 12-15 big rides, 6-7 kid rides and 12-15 games. A handful of other carnivals showed interest, but some had conflicting schedules. McGuigan said negotiations with Paradise Amusement continue. Once the board is happy with a contract, they will hold a special meeting to approve it.

The board will be conducting a special meeting on March 12 to approved a contract with the Sanders County Concessions Group, which will be the second round of negotiations, said Don Bursell, president of the group. The organization usually has 16 booths manned at the fair by individual nonprofit organizations from Plains, Thompson Falls and Hot Springs. Bursell said they had only a dozen last year and this year they’re planning for eight.

The next regular fair board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 21, at 7 p.m.