The Fulton Jaycees will have a new event promoter for their fifth annual Graveyard Smash that kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Fulton Jaycees Callaway County Fairgrounds.
John Geldner, one of the vice presidents of Fulton Jaycees, said J & B Promotions will be in charge of three action-packed derby events this year - a Power Wheel Figure 8 Derby for kids, a Compact Figure 8 Scramble and a Compact Demolition Derby.
"The kids get in their power wheels vehicles, whichever one they bring," Geldner said. "A lot of them are drivers of the compact figure 8 cars, and we set up a small arena inside the big arena, and they basically run it like they would a regular figure 8."
Geldner said that J & B Promotions will run two power wheels classes for different age groups. The first class includes children ages 5 and younger, and the second includes children ages 6 to 11.
"We're gonna to charge them $5 to enter, and we're gonna get participation certificates, and whenever they get done, they will actually get that $5 back," Geldner said. "Basically it's showing them a little bit of responsibility that hey, I do have to pay to enter this, but I did win something."
The power wheels event will start at 6 p.m., followed by the scramble event and the derby. The exact starting times for each are based on how many cars participate, Geldner said.
Barb DeVille with the Fulton Jaycees said all local vendors are welcome to set up their booth at the fairgrounds at no charge. She said only specialty food vendors will be permitted to sell food items not sold at Fulton Jaycee concession stands. Geldner said the group will be selling fish and chips, nachos and hot dogs, and Sir Winston's, an alcohol vendor, will sell adult beverages.
DeVille said several vendors have committed to promoting their unique products at the event. Local business vendors such as Origami Owl, Avon, Pink Zebra, It Works, Tastefully Simple, Scentsy, Norwex, Pampered Chef and Paparazzi will send one sales representative to the fairgrounds. DeVille said homemade crafts such as spoon rings, upcycled items, quilts and bath products are just a sample of the many local items that will be sold. Geldner added that at least 12 vendors will have booths.
Face painting will be available for children, and check-in for children's costume contest will start at 3 p.m., with the contest beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the stage. Geldner said all children entering the contest will receive participation medals. DeVille said adults are welcome to join the dress-up fun.
Admission to the event is $5. No coolers will be permitted on fairgrounds, DeVille said.
Details on the rules and regulations for those interested in participating in the car events can be found on J & B Promotions' website. The driver entry fee costs $20, a rider fee is $20 and a pit pass is $10.
Payouts for the Compact Figure 8 Scramble are $500 for first place, $300 for second, $200 for third and $100 for fourth place winners. For the Compact Demolition Derby, all drivers will receive a 100 percent payback.
"We're hoping to grow this bigger each year," Geldner said. "It's something for the community to get to do during the fall and watch cars smash up. It's something we're gonna continue on doing every year."