Heather Dalton

The concept of the demolition derby originated in the United States and is still an exciting tradition. A demolition derby usually occurs during a county fair or festival with ‘professional’ drivers. This derby occurred far more spontaneously, as a privately organized event by local community members in this small town within upstate New York.

The ‘derby’ started as a game of car soccer and when the balls popped escalated into tire pushing and eventually the ramming of vehicles. It was held because a farmers field had been cleared, which provided the space and opportunity. According to the farmer it also did a fairly good job of turning the soil….