The Carbon County Fair is set to roar with excitement as demolition derby enthusiasts gather for one of the fair’s most anticipated events.

Weather permitting, the action will kick off at 6 p.m. today with the junk car race.

Rain put a damper on Children’s Day so events were rescheduled.

The Children’s Day drawing that was washed out Tuesday has been rescheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m. There will be six bicycles given away, along with 19 other prizes for a total of 25 prizes in recognition of the fair’s 25th anniversary.

Tonight, Double M amusements will again offer a discounted ride bracelet.

The fair opens at 4 p.m. and continues until 10 p.m. today through Friday.

Saturday hours are 2 to 10 p.m.

On Thursday, the spotlight shifts to demolition derbies, including the youth and small car classes, alongside a novel addition to the lineup.

“The only thing new this year is a 1980s and newer stock class,” Tim Strohl of Old School Promotions, the event organizer, said. “It’s almost like a county fair class we brought back like it was in the ’80s or early ’90s. That will be new for Carbon County.”

The demolition derby is a motor sport event where drivers intentionally ram their vehicles into one another, with the last car still operational declared the winner. The goal is to immobilize competitors by targeting certain areas of the vehicle.

“Object of the game is to save your tires and save your radiator,” Strohl said. “Guys are out there looking to give you a flat because then your car is working harder to get around and they can really beat you up. You try to go for the other person’s tires to take them out fast.”

Strohl, a veteran organizer with 20-30 years of experience, likened the derby to a chaotic parking lot scene.

“Well, a good way to think about it is to go to a grocery store parking lot and watch people fight for a parking spot,” he said. “It’s a popular event. If you’ve ever wanted to see a crash right in front of you, this is your chance.”

Selecting the right car is crucial in a demolition derby. Strohl explained that drivers in the small car division favor models like the Toyota Camry or Cavalier, with the Camry being particularly coveted.

“It’s like the Chrysler Imperial was 20 years ago,” he said. “As far as bigger cars, everyone wants one of those older cop cars. The Crown Victoria is very popular in that class.”

With cars becoming harder to find, participants go to great lengths to source their vehicles.

“People will drive around on their days off or on the way home from work and see if there is a car sitting in someone’s yard they are interested in,” Strohl said. “If they like it, they’ll try to buy it to smash it.”