Othello demolition derby canceled for 2020
Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald The sounds of motors roaring and metal clashing from the Adams County Fair Demo Derby won't be heard this year after the event was canceled due to the ongoing pandemic.
OTHELLO — The annual Othello Demolition Derby has been canceled for 2020. The derby was scheduled for Sept. 16.
The decision was announced Aug. 5 and followed cancellation of the Othello Rodeo. The rodeo’s cancellation was announced July 18.
“We’ve pretty well decided we’re not going to be able to do the demolition derby either,” said Rodeo Association President Kenneth Dockins. Like the rodeo, the demolition derby was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
State officials imposed restrictions on movement, business and events in March to combat the outbreak. A phased reopening plan was announced in May and Adams County got as far as the second phase.
But the reopening plan was halted in July as coronavirus cases climbed, both in Adams County and throughout Eastern Washington. Even if reopening resumed, Adams County would have to reach the fourth and final phase of the process for the demo derby to go ahead as scheduled. Counties are required to meet specified targets to qualify for reopening – if they could continue reopening at all – and there’s not enough time for Adams County to meet the targets by the date of the demo derby, Dockins said.
Along with the state requirements, the rodeo association’s insurance company was hesitant to cover the event, and under the circumstances it was canceled, he said.
But the annual straw maze may go on as scheduled, and may be expanded. “We’re hoping,” Dockins said.
Normally the straw maze takes place on the last two weekends in October, he said, but for 2020 it may be extended to every weekend in October.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].