The annual Crossfield Elks Demolition Derby is getting set to make some noise and generate some carnage at the Crossfield Rodeo Grounds on Saturday.
Organizers are expecting as many as 30-40 drivers to take part in the four competition classes with a top prize of $1,000 awarded in each division.
While the prize money is nice, for the Crossfield Elks, and many of the locals coming out to compete, the event is more about doing something beneficial for the entire community.
“It’s a great event for the whole community to come watch and enjoy, and go out and have a great time,” explained Brandt Selent, co-organizer of this year’s Demolition Derby for the Elks. “The best part about it, I think, is all the money we raise through this event gets donated back to the community.”
Last year’s derby – the first one since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic – raised about $40,000 for community events and local charities in Crossfield. Selent is hoping to top that this year.
“Everything we make and do at this event goes back for a good cause,” he said.
Selent said the Elks have made it relatively easy for anyone to take part in the event by simplifying the rules for drivers and vehicles.
“We have a lot of local drivers come out,” Selent explained. “We built our rules for this demolition derby on kind of a chain-and-go system, so there is not a ton of welding, or a bunch of other stuff you need to do to your derby cars to make them run.
“We have it so it is really easy for lots of local guys to build a car really quick, and not have to know a ton about demolition derbies to be able to enter.”
Selent said those taking part can enter a vehicle from just about anywhere, as long as they don’t mind getting it destroyed during the derby.
“You can really get them anywhere,” he confirmed. “A lot of guys buy them on Facebook Buy and Sell for cheap. We have an Elks truck this year we built, and the buddy who is going to drive it– it was his oldest brother’s first truck. And it was sitting in a farmer’s field for about six years. We pulled it out of the field and got it running again, fixed it up, painted it up, and it was ready to go.”
Besides the competition prizes up for grabs, Selent noted cash prizes will also be given out for the “Best Dressed” car at the event and the “Most Destroyed” vehicle.
On top of the derby itself, Selent explained there would be some mudrun competitions and a car show during the day. The evening was set to cap off with a beer garden and cabaret.
For more information, see the Crossfield Elks Demo Derby on Instagram.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is a fraternal organization originally founded in 1868. In Crossfield, the local lodge is # 416.