PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — About 31 vehicles participated in the Demolition Derby on Sunday, Aug. 6, at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds.
Trucks and cars were separated into different heats as metal and grass flew in the arena after the air horns from fair staff blasted to start or stop the smashing competition.
In the truck category, Todd and Brandon Condon from Ashland took first and second places with Damian Spolze from Marcardis clinching third place.
For the grand finale in the car category, around 17 cars sideswiped and rammed each other in a free-for-all with Sheldon Woodard from Harmony taking first place, Michael Bowker from Washburn taking second place, and Tony Baker from Presque Isle taking third.
Each round was an elimination round with around six cars battling to become this year’s champion. The top three get into the grand finale, there is a second chance elimination round for those eliminated to repair their cars but only two made it and were included in the grand finale.
Trucks only had one elimination heat this year with their finale ending sooner than the cars.
Before the carnage began, the crowd got to vote on which car and truck was the prettiest before entering the arena.
The prettiest car went to Ian Mills from Easton, Jessica Barker from Ashland won second place, Brandon Simpson from Presque Isle took third place, and Jesse Thibodeau from Frenchville won fourth place.
First place for the prettiest pick up truck went to Brandon Condon from Ashland, Taylor Condon from Ashland took second place, Todd Condon from Ashland got third place, and Melinda Burby from Masardis was voted for fourth place.
The votes for the prettiest cars and trucks are measured by how loud the crowd cheered. Prizes for the prettiest car contest were $100 for first place, $50 for second place, $40 for third place, and $30 for fourth place.
The prizes for the demolition derby were $1,000 for first place, $700 for second place and $500 for third place.
Correction: An earlier version of this story named the incorrect second and third-place finishers in the car category for the Demolition Derby. The correct placements were Michael Bowker of Washburn, second, and Tony Baker of Presque Isle, third.
