PORT TOWNSEND — The crash and roar of a demolition derby will join the traditional Big Purple Slide and big-truck events at the 13th annual Jeffco Expo this weekend.
The expo will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds at 4907 Landes St.
Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors 65 and older and students 13 to 17, and $2 for children 6 to 12.
Children 5 and younger will be admitted free, as will active-military personnel with identification.
Pre-event tickets will be on sale at the fairgrounds until 6 p.m. today.
Sunday’s full demolition derby is a new event this year.
Spectators will pay $5 in addition to the gate fee to watch the 2 p.m. show at the fairgrounds track. Children 5 and younger will be admitted free.
Entrance fees are $60 for a car that has been in a demolition derby before and $50 for one that hasn’t.
The Jeffco Expo is an annual dry run for the Jefferson County Fair. It serves as a way to raise funds for the August fair while getting people out to the fairgrounds at the beginning of the season.
And with warm weather predicted for Saturday and Sunday, expo organizers are predicting that it will be a truly dry run.
Expo proceeds support fairgrounds maintenance and repairs prior to the county fair, which will mark its 75th anniversary this year when it opens Aug. 9 for a three-day run.
“We want to make sure we break even but hope to raise about $10,000,” said Sue McIntire, who serves as board treasurer of the fairgrounds’ management team and is its only paid employee.
“And we want to get people out to the fairgrounds to see what it can offer.”
McIntire said the event usually draws about 4,000 people over two days.
The expo will feature mechanical bull riding and a variety of vendors.
A car and bike show will run both days.
The show is open to all cars and motorcycles.
Registration will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. each day. It will cost $34 for both days or $18 for one day to enter one car with a driver and a passenger.
Awards in 15 categories will be given both days.
There is no entry fee for the Cruz-In, which is in a designated area near the car show.
Horse gaming events will start at 11 a.m. Saturday, with 10 competitions that include barrel racing and pole bending.
There is no additional fee for those who want to watch the action in 4-by-4 events Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday will be the Dirt Drags, a timed obstacle course and rollover contest.
On Sunday, the tough trucks will take over the fairgrounds track.
Registration to participate opens at 8 a.m. both days. Races begin at 11 a.m.
Registration for 4-by-4 events does not include expo gate admission.
The entry fee is $45 for one event and $60 for two events.
Winners will receive trophies.
In addition to the Big Purple Slide, children can enter a scavenger hunt, play bids-bingo or fish at a U-fish pond.
All activities are free with gate admission.
The Kids’ U-fish Pond is for people 13 and younger who are accompanied by an adult.
Each child can keep one fish he or she pulls from the pond.
Free kids’ bingo will be in the Erickson Building dining room, with prizes awarded both days.
A main attraction will be a life-sized, road-worthy recreation of Tow Mater, which was featured in the animated Disney movie “Cars.”
Tow Mater, which is appearing at the expo for the second year, will be there both Saturday and Sunday.
There is no cost to see it, touch it or sit on it, but it will cost $10 to have a photo taken with it.
Of that amount, $7 of each picture will support the Jefferson County Fair Association.
Jack Walkley of Everett spent 2½ years assembling the machine.
It began as a 1955 Holmes wrecker from Arizona. Along with various other parts from across the country, the bottom of the cab is from a 1955 Chevy farm truck from Wyoming, and the cab top is from a ’64 Mack from Montana.
The 1955 wrecker reflectors are from Connecticut, and the wrecker hook and shackles are from Alaska.
It took 13 coats of paint to make it look old and rusty.
The Fair Restaurant will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, with breakfast and lunch menus, and also will be open during Groovy Bingo.
Only service dogs are allowed on the grounds during the expo.
For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/jeffersonexpo.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
