The Glendon Demolition Derby and Mudbogs is getting dirty to celebrate 30.
For three decades drivers from near and far have been climbing into the driver’s seat for the annual event held three-kilometres north of the Village of Glendon, and this year will be no different.
On Aug. 10, the Glendon Demolition Derby and Mudbogs will celebrate 30 years of hitting the dirt.
“The derby started in 1989. It was first held right in the village, beside the arena,” reflected director for the Glendon Agricultural Society and event organizing committee member Garry Kissel.
Kissel has been a part of the derby since it was initiated by Myles and Noreen Cotton, and Allen and Debbie Marsh so many years ago.
“(The Cotton’s) had gone to Two Hills the year before and seen a derby, and thought, ‘we have to bring it to Glendon,’” detailed Kissel.
After the first year of hosting it in town and hauling dirt and tires through the village, the ag society approached the community’s council about using their land north of Glendon.
“They let them use that facility (in 1990), which we still use today. It’s been improved with bleachers, and it’s quite the facility for a derby,” added Kissel.
Kissel’s participation dates back 27 years at the admissions gate, where attendees can still find him even now.
“It’s a fundraiser, people know that. It’s something different. A lot of communities have tried to hold a successful derby, and that’s Glendon’s claim to fame,” he expressed. “Every year, it’s a different crowd. We draw people from not only the immediate area, but also all over Alberta, because there are people that follow these derbies. It’s successful because so many different people… come and see this derby.”
It all kicks off with a pancake breakfast in town, followed by a farmers’ market, parade, and barbecue.
The derby itself doesn’t get started until 1 p.m. at it’s usual location three-km north of the village.
“It’s the 30th. We’re going to have more activities. It’s a fun day, we have all kinds of concessions and bouncy houses,” noted Kissel.
Derek Cote has been driving in the event for over a decade, but has been attending since he was young.
“A lot of my family did it, and I started at a young age being around it,” he detailed, adding it was all those years witnessing the action that sparked a love for the sport in him.
“I started (driving) when I was 14, but I’ve been working on cars probably since I started to walk.”
Cote participates in both the truck and car categories, and has taken home the top title in the Glendon truck event twice in his years on the track.
“You get a good adrenaline rush and it’s a lot of fun, motors ripping and vehicles smashing,” explained Cote.
Similar to Kissel, Cote has witnessed the event grow over the years.
A derby that was once just a couple of drivers on a track made of tires and sand, has grown into an event that participants from across the province look forward to.
“When we started, when I was younger, it used to be more locals, we would throw something together the week before. As the years went on, it got a little bigger and participants had a little better engines. It started to get more competitive and became a better show,” Cote described. “It’s nice to see people want to come and be a part of it.”
With years of experience behind the wheel, Cote feels he has a bit of an advantage, even when competing in derbies elsewhere.
“I think just being around it (for so long) gives me an idea what to look for. The Glendon show is quite hard hitting,” he noted. “It’s a pretty fast and high-paced show compared to some of the others.”
The fundraiser runs solely on volunteers like Kissel, who dedicate their time to an event that has claimed the title of the largest truck derby in Alberta.
Cote encourages everyone to take to the bleachers and cheer on their favourite driver on Aug. 10, especially considering it’s a milestone year.
“There’s a lot of time that goes into these that some people might not notice. I think it’s nice to have people cheer for you, respect, and encourage what you’re trying to do,” he added.
For more information, visit the Glendon Ag Society’s website.
