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Grandstand shows provide thrills at Kane County Fair

Car crashes are horrible accidents that happen every day, but on Sunday multiple crashes will take place in St. Charles. And on purpose.

The Kane County Fair will have the Smash Em Bash Em competition — better known as a demolition derby — at 2 and 7 p.m. on Sunday for one of the Grandstand Thrill events.

“It’s like watching 30 car accidents at one time,” said Ken Donant, event promoter. “They drive what they call full sized cars, not compact. So guys drive Chevys or Fords but they are stronger and last longer.”

The Smash Em Bash Em is one of several motor car events throughout the fair, which opens at 3 p.m. today at the Kane County fairgrounds, at Route 64 and Randall Road in St. Charles.

The event will have two separate competitions where different drivers and cars will compete. Around 20 to 25 cars will compete in each show as they last around two-and-a-half hours.

“Everybody likes to see things torn up,” said Donant, who is originally from Crystal Lake but now lives in Wisconsin Dells. “In stock car race you don’t just want to see the race, you want to see who crashes, too.”

Donant is also a promoter for the Truck Pull Championship which happens at 7 p.m. Thursday. The championship will feature local drivers as they use four wheel drive trucks to pull 30,000 pounds of weight.

The drivers will try and go the initial 250 feet to make it to the finals. Donant said many trucks don’t make it past 50 feet and only a few make the finals. More weight is added in the final and trucks drive again to decide the winner.

“A lot of it has to do with the driving,” Donant said. “You have to get some momentum ... You can’t just floor it, those guys don’t go anywhere.”

Somewhere between 25 to 40 trucks will compete, as the event ends around 9 p.m.

The grandstand events don’t just focus motorized vehicles — animals get their time in the spotlight as well.

For the first time there will be the horse Speed Show at 5 p.m. today, which is expected to last three hours. The event has a barrel race and a pole bending event each will test the speed of a horse and skill of the rider. Horses are expected to finish the barrel race in around 15 seconds and the pole bending in around 20 to 24 seconds.

“It’s just the fastest time wins,” said Steve Hilleson horse show superintendent. “The six fastest get a cash prize but it is jackpot so the amount depends on how many people enter.”

Hilleson, of DeKalb, said he expects around 40 to 50 competitors but is hoping for more. He said it’s hard to know how many people will attend since it’s a new event this year.

For the barrel race, horses will have to race in a clover field pattern without knocking any equipment off the course. There are three categories for the barrel race for pony riders, junior riders or 18 and younger and the open section.

The pole bending will require the horse to weave through six poles down and around, testing the riders direction skill.

The other grandstand events are the Professional Championship Bull Riding which is at 7 p.m. Friday and the Big Hat Rodeo at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday.

The Big Hat Rodeo has been at the fair for around 40 years. Lenora Nolan of Hebron, owner of Big Hat Rodeo said people can expect “spectacular livestock and surprises and fun for the kids.”

There are six events for the estimated two hour show. They include bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddleback riding, tie down roping, cowgirl thrill racing and bull riding.

“The fair board at Kane County are terrific people,” Nolan said. “They know what we need and what the spectator wants.”

“It’s the nicest area and a great spot for a rodeo.”

For a complete listing of events, see the schedule inside, or visit kanecountyfair.com.

A driver crashes into another at last year’s Kane County Fair demolition derby. Daily Herald Archives/2010
Daisy Duke almost falls with Michael Sumner on board during bareback riding at last year’s Big Hat Rodeo at the Kane County Fair in St. Charles. Daily Herald Archives/2010

If you go

What: The Kane County Fair Grandstand Thrill Events featuring a horse Speed Show, Truck Pull Championship, Championship Bull Riding, Big Hat Rodeo and Smash Em Bash Em competition.

When: Horse Speed Show is at 5 p.m. today, July 20; Truck Pull Championship is at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 21; Championship Bull Riding is at 7 p.m. Friday, July 22; Big Hat Rodeo is at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 23; Smash Em Bash Em is at 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, July 24.

Where: Kane County fairgrounds, at Randall Road and Route 64.

Cost: Speed Show is free with gate admission; Truck Pull, Big Hat Rodeo and Smash Em Bash Em is $10 admission for each show and the Championship Bull Riding is free for 7 and younger while $12 for adults.

Details: kanecountyfair.com; (630) 584-6926.