Rockingham County Fair

Aug. 12-17, 2024

Competitors chat atop the chutes as they wait for the rodeo to start last year at the

Daniel Lin / DN-R

Rockingham County Fair.

Daniel Lin / DN-R

James Hullihen, of Mount Jackson, right, slams into Roger Mahoney, of Luray, during the 4-cylinder unlimited heat during Friday’s demolition derby at last year’s Rockingham County Fair.

Call Dwight (540) 820-0824

• Lumber

• Trusses

• Fencing

• Metal Roof & Siding

On Lumber Mill Rd.

O Rt. 257, West of Dayton

Monday-Friday 7:30-5

Saturday 7:30-11 540-879-2518

Demolition Derby To Return To County Fair

By RICHARD H. HRONIK III Daily News-Record

A landmark attraction is set to return to the Rockingham County Fair on Friday, Aug. 16.

With time until the start of the fair dwindling, residents from across the Shenandoah Valley and beyond can look forward to the return of the annual demolition derby in the fairgrounds’ Pepsi Grandstand at 8 p.m. on Friday. The derby will be one of several events likely to draw a crowd to the grandstand, including the farm and highway tractor pulls the following day.

The event is organized by Sarge and Sons Demolition Derby and sponsored by Sentara RMH, Truck and Equipment, E&M Auto Paint, and Q101, according to the Rockingham County Fair website.

Last year’s derby saw more than

50 drivers compete across six different classes, with drivers placed into classes based on their vehicles. Each class gave first, second and third place awards based on the last drivers with their vehicles still operational, and a “Mad Dog” award for the most aggressive driver.

Last year’s derby brought competitors from Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, as well as other areas like Woodstock and Lacey Springs.

Quinten Reedy competed in the Full Size Wire class in last year’s derby. Before the competition, he commented on his experience from previous events.

“It’s an adrenaline rush,” Reedy explained. ““It’s just fun going out there and putting on a show for everybody.”

See DERBY, Page 4

Derby FROM PAGE 3

Logan Robertson also competed in the Full Size Wire class last year. Whereas some drivers were aiming for one of the top three spots in the competition, Robertson had a different goal ahead of the derby.

“Honestly, I’m gonna go out here and just try to get a Mad Dog award and not last very long,” Robertson said. “It’s just fun because it gets the friends and family back into it. It gets the community back together and I really enjoy spending time with my family and friends because between me and my family, I think we got six cars here.”

Robertson would end the event winning third place for the Full Size Wire class as well as his first Mad Dog award.

Advance tickets for the demo derby and other events taking place at the Pepsi Grandstand like the rodeo and tractor pull are available on the Rockingham County Fair website. Adult tickets are $12, while child tickets are $5. Visit the fair website for information.

Contact Richard H. Hronik III at rhronik@dnronline.com, 540-2083278, or on Twitter @rhronikDNR

Daniel Lin / DN-R

Ayden Collins, of Staunton, gets a boost over a fence from his father, Keegan Collins, during Friday’s demolition derby at last year’s Rockingham County Fair.

Check Out The Stingrays At The Fair This Year

By LEE ZION Daily News-Record

The Rockingham County State Fair will be bursting with excitement this year, and part of the fun will be the stingrays.

No, not the car. These will be real live stingrays on exhibit at the fair — about a dozen.

This is the only traveling exhibit of its kind, said event operator Felipe Velarde. There are several species of stingrays in the exhibit.

“We have some California round rays that are super playful. I mean, you hear about them in the news quite a bit, if you’re from the West Coast. They’re the stingray that sting the

most people a year,” he said.

These are about the size of a dinner plate. They don’t get much bigger than 2 feet.

A stingray is closely related to sharks. Basically, they’re flattened out sharks with the gills on the bottom, not the top, Velarde said.

Because they sting, and because Steve Irwin died in a stingray attack, the animals have a bad reputation. Velarde said he wants to clear up their reputation.

“We explain how you can be careful out there, on beaches and stuff. Shuffle your feet. Be mindful of these little guys,” he said.

There will also be a shark on display. This is a brown-banded bamboo

shark, a type of carpet shark that was donated to his group because it outgrew its tank. It’s about 2 feet long.

“He’s super social, super friendly, and people enjoy checking him out,” Velarde said.

The shark is long and thin, more like a snake. They are considered harmless to humans.

“He’s just awesome,” Velarde said. “This type of shark is usually not that social. They’re kind of like cats — some cats are kind of social, but for the most part you touch ’em for a little bit, and then they go away.

“This particular shark just loves attention. He’s a total ham. I mean he loves coming around, checking people out,” he said.

Velarde said it’s not because of the food. The shark and the rays like being around people, even after they’re done eating.

People will have a chance to touch them. The people who run the exhibit go over the safety rules, and then people are invited to touch the animals and feed them squid and shrimp. The experience is educational, he stresses.

“People love it. Some people, they come in with a total different mentality of what a stingray is; they didn’t really think about them. And then they come in there, and it’s like therapy. We’ve been told that several times.”

Contact Lee Zion at lzion@dnronline. com or 540-208-3174.

Contributed Photo

Now’s your chance to see this little guy at the Rockingham County Fair from Aug. 12-17.

Fair Schedule

Monday, Aug. 12

12:00 p.m.

2024 Rockingham County Fair Officially Opens

1:00 p.m.

Poultry Showmanship

Sponsored by: Dairy Queen, and PCB

5:00-9:00 p.m.

Fritzy Brothers “One Man Circus” (Roving)

Sponsored by: PB Mares, and Pilgrims

5:00-9:00 p.m.

Coyote Clem (Roving)

Sponsored by: Massanutten Resort, and Chick-fil-A

5:15 p.m.

Swartz Auto Sales/Triumph Motorcycles of Harrisonburg Talent Pavilion: Dry River Band

6:00 p.m.

G&M Hoop/HighwayStage — Billy Lindsey

Sponsored by: Davenport & Company, and The Salon Professional Academy

6:00 p.m.

Swashchucklers

Sponsored by: Dick Myers Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep & Ram, and Lakeside Book Company

6:00-9:00 p.m.

Mountain Heritage Cloggers (Roving)

Sponsored by: Frieden Farms, and Sleep On It

6:15 p.m.

Harrisonburg Honda/Hyundai Tent — Dennis Lee

7:00 p.m.

Pepsi Grandstand: Dylan Scott with special guest Tyler Farr

Sponsored by: Blue Ridge Beverage, Molson Coors, Excel Truck Group, and WKCY

-Advanced Ticket price $50.00

7:00 p.m.

Harrisonburg Ford Arena — Go Kart Racing

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY FAIR

Dairy Milking in the Valley Urgent Care Barn

5:00-8:00 p.m.

Construction Trades Skill Competition (Electrical)

5:00-9:00 p.m.

Cowgirl Circus (Roving)

Sponsored by: Dairy Queen, and PCB

5:00-9:00 p.m.

Fritzy Brothers “One Man Circus” (Roving)

Sponsored by: PB Mares, and Pilgrims

5:00-9:00 p.m.

Coyote Clem (Roving)

Sponsored by: Massanutten Resort, and Chick-fil-A

5:15 p.m.

Swartz Auto Sales/Triumph Motorcycles of Hburg Talent Pavilion: Mountain Heritage Cloggers

5:30 p.m.

Harrisonburg Ford Arena — Bad News Travels Fast Sponsored by: Valley Equip.m.ent,

and TB Pallets

6:00 p.m.

G&M Hoop/Highway Stage — Billy Lindsey

Sponsored by: Davenport & Company, and The Salon Professional Academy

6:00 p.m.

Swashchucklers

Sponsored by: Dick Myers Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep & Ram, and Lakeside Book Company

6:15 p.m.

Harrisonburg Honda/Hyundai Tent — Dennis Lee

6:30 p.m.

Southland Dairy Milking Demonstration

7:00 p.m.

Pepsi Grandstand: Twitty & Lynn with Jack & Davis Reid

Sponsored by: Blue Ridge Beverage, First Bank & Trust, and WSIG

-Reserved Limited Seating $20.00

7:00 p.m.

G&M/Helmuth Stage — Junior Rabbit Showmanship

7:15 p.m.

Harrisonburg Honda/Hyundai Tent — Billy Lindsey as Elvis

7:30 p.m.

Kids Celebration

Sponsored by: Arrowquip, and Botkin Rose

7:30 p.m.

Southland Dairy Milking Demonstration

8:00 p.m.

Swashchucklers

Sponsored by: Dick Myers Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep & Ram, and Lakeside Book Company

8:30 p.m.

Swartz Auto Sales/Triumph Motorcycles of Hburg Talent Pavilion: Mountain Heritage Cloggers

9:15 p.m.

Harrisonburg Honda/Hyundai Tent — Dennis Lee

Wednesday, Aug. 14

9:00 am

Market Steer Show — Ring A

Sponsored by: Shenandoah Valley Electric Coop

10:00 am

Breeding Sheep Show — Ring B

WE ARE HIRING

OPEN POSITIONS:

• Production Associate

• Machine Operators

• Parts Room Clerk

• Refrigeration Technicians

• Mechanics and Multicrafts

• Oven Operators

• Bilingual QA HACCP Lead

Schedule FROM PAGE 8

Sponsored by: Dairy Queen, and PCB

5:00-9:00 p.m.

Fritzy Brothers “One Man Circus” (Roving)

Sponsored by: PB Mares, and Pilgrims

5:00-9:00 p.m.

Coyote Clem (Roving)

Sponsored by: Massanutten Resort, and Chick-fil-A

5:15 p.m.

Swartz Auto Sales/Triumph Motorcycles of Hburg Talent Pavilion: Conley Ray & The Jones

6:00 p.m.

Demo: Homemaking Department — Exhibit Hall

- Charcuterie Board Contest Judg-

ing

Sponsored by: Hotel Madison, and Stoneburner

6:00 p.m.

G&M Hoop/Highway Stage — Billy Lindsey

Sponsored by: Davenport & Company, and The Salon Professional Academy

6:00 p.m.

Swashchucklers

Sponsored by: Dick Myers Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep & Ram, and Lakeside Book Company

6:00 p.m.

Harrisonburg Ford Arena — Touch a Tractor

Sponsored by: James River Equip.m.ent, and Partners Excavating

6:00-9:00 p.m.

Twirling Medallions (Roving)

Sponsored by: PB Mares, and Pilgrims

11:00 am

Harrisonburg Honda/Hyundai Tent — The Dennis Lee Band

11:00 am

Cowgirl Circus (Roving)

Sponsored by: Dairy Queen, and PCB

12:00 p.m.

Harrisonburg Honda/Hyundai Tent — Billy Lindsey as Elvis

1:00 p.m.

Rides open for Sunshine & Senior Participants Only

1:00 p.m.

Swashchucklers

Sponsored by: Dick Myers Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep & Ram, and Lakeside Book Company

2:30 p.m.

Southland Dairy Milking Demo

4:00-8:00 p.m.

Demo: Homemaking Department — Exhibit Hall

- Tie a Comfort Card Making by: Aimee

- Pottery Pals

-Weaving by: Sadie Hawkins

- Spinning Sunlight with Lynne

ROCKINGHAM

Sponsored by: Hotel Madison, and Stoneburner

4:30-9:00 p.m.

Ag-tivity Zone

4:45 p.m.

Kids Celebration

Sponsored by: Arrowquip, and Botkin Rose

5:00 p.m.

Rides Open

5:00 p.m.

Harrisonburg Ford Arena — Antique Tractor Pull

Sponsored by: Beverage Tractor, and See-Mor Truck Tops

5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Dairy Milking Valley Urgent Care Barn

5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Construction Trades Skill Competition (Masonry)

5:00-9:00 p.m.

Fritzy Brothers “One Man Circus” (Roving)

Sponsored by: PB Mares, and Pilgrims

5:00-9:00 p.m.

Cowgirl Circus (Roving)

Sponsored by: Dairy Queen, and PCB

5:00-9:00 p.m.

Coyote Clem (Roving)

Sponsored by: Massanutten Resort, and Chick-fil-A

6:15 p.m.

Harrisonburg Honda/Hyundai Tent — Dennis Lee

6:00 p.m.

Sunshine Goat Class — Ring B

6:00 p.m.

Master Showmanship — Ring A

Sponsored by: Dairy Queen, and PCB

5:00-9:00 p.m.

Fritzy Brothers “One Man Circus” (Roving)

Sponsored by: PB Mares, and Pilgrims

5:00-9:00 p.m.

Coyote Clem (Roving)

Sponsored by: Massanutten Resort, and Chick-fil-A

5:15 p.m.

Swartz Auto Sales/Triumph Motorcycles of Hburg Talent Pavilion: Katie Lombardo

6:00 p.m.

G&M Hoop/Highway Stage — Billy Lindsey

Sponsored by: Dairy Queen, and PCB

ROCKINGHAM

5:00-9:00 p.m.

Fritzy Brothers “One Man Circus” (Roving)

Sponsored by: PB Mares, and Pilgrims

5:00-9:00 p.m.

Coyote Clem (Roving)

Sponsored by: Massanutten Resort, and Chick-fil-A

5:15 p.m.

Swartz Auto Sales/Triumph Motorcycles of Hburg Talent Pavilion: Josh Davidson

5:30-7:30p.m.

Harrisonburg Honda/Hyundai Tent- WSIG Bluegrass Saturday Night

6:00 p.m.

G&M Hoop/Highway Stage — Billy Lindsey

Sponsored by: Davenport & Company, and The Salon Professional Academy

6:00 p.m.

Swashchucklers

Sponsored by: Dick Myers Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep & Ram, and Lakeside Book Company

6:30 p.m.

Southland Dairy Milking Demo

inp.m.Educational Area

7:00 p.m.

Pepsi Grandstand: Interstate Truck and Tractor Pull

Sponsored by: Highway Motors, PXI, and Q101

7:30 p.m.

G&M Hoop/Highway Stage — Leon Jacobs

Sponsored by: Davenport & Company, and The Salon Professional Academy

7:30 p.m.

Kids Celebration

7:30 p.m.

Harrisonburg Ford Arena — Horse Pull

Sponsored by: Truck Enterprises, and Houff Transfer

8:00 p.m.

Swashchucklers

Sponsored by: Dick Myers Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep & Ram, and Lakeside Book Company

8:30 p.m.

Swartz Auto Sales/Triumph Motorcycles of Hburg Talent Pavilion: Josh Davidson

2023 PROCESSING AND KILL DATES

Local Monster Truck Takes To The Ford Arena

By LISA LANDRAM Daily News-Record

Monster truck — Bad News Travels Fast is scheduled to perform at the Rockingham County Fair in August.

The driver of the monster truck, Brandon Derrow, shares his story about how it began for him.

“Well, it all started for me as a dream,” said Derrow, the monster truck — Bad News Travels Fast diver.

Derrow said his dad took him to his first monster truck show at the Augusta County Fairgrounds when he was one and a half.

Derrow recalled begging his parents to take him to shows, so they took him every year after that.

Derrow said he would get excited meeting the drivers and seeing the monster trucks.

One of Derrow’s favorite trucks was Bad News Travels Fast. He recalls the truck looking clean and “presentable.”

TRUCK , Page 14

Contributed Photo

Monster truck, Bad News Travels Fast, in action earlier this year. See

Pirate Show Coming To This Year’s Fair

By LEE ZION Daily News-Record

The Rockingham County Fair will have agricultural displays, live music, food and more. But it will also have pirates.

“The Swash Chucklers” Comedy Pirate Show will be at the Fair on all days. It promises to be fun for the whole family.

“There’s laughs galore, and tons of audience participation,” said Mike Walker, owner and president of Fort Worth, Texas-based ShenaniGuns Comedy Shows, which created the event. “There’s comedy pirates, and they’re on the hunt for treasure. And then the most feared pirate in the world, Black Jack Blownapart, shows up.”

Then the chase and the hunt is

on, Walker said.

There’s a treasure quest, and a talking skull, and the bad pirate comes to town. It’s slapstick fun; there’s something in there for everybody,” he said. “There’s a ton of surprises.”

There will be two or three halfhour shows a day. From Aug. 12 through Aug. 14, the show will be at 6 and 8 p.m.; on Aug. 15. The show will be at 1:30, 6 and 8 p.m. Friday it will be at 6 and 8 p.m. Then on Saturday, Aug. 17, the show will be at 3:15, 6 and 8 p.m.

Participants should be mindful that there is a “splash zone” for the show. Anyone not wanting to get wet should avoid the first two rows, Walker said.

“Depending on how hot it is. If it’s hot, we may let ’em have it,”

Truck FROM PAGE 12

“I remember one show, I think it was 2007, I told dad ... I just love that truck. Well, little did we know that we were gonna own it one day,” Derrow said.

In 2011, when Derrow was in his twenties, he heard that Bad News Travels Fast was for sale.

“So, one thing led to another, and we were able to go to Bronson, Fla., and get it,” said Derrow. “My family and I ... we pretty much haven’t looked back. You know, we’ve been doing shows all over the country.”

Derrow said he has been performing for 13 years.

He used to travel to the East and West Coasts. However, Derrow said he mainly performs on the East Coast because he has two young children and wants to stay closer to home.

The Crew

Derrow is the driver of the monster truck Bad News Travels Fast; however, it takes a crew to run the operation, said Derrow.

Derrow’s dad, Ken Derrow, who everyone calls Pops, is a part of the crew.

Pops works on the monster truck;

he said. “We gauge it by that. If the kids want to get squirted, we blast them.”

Then he backed down a little. “ ‘Blast’ is a little aggressive term for it. But if the kids want to get squirted, we hose ’em down,” Walker said.

Walker has been with the company for about 30 years. He’s been providing family fun at fairs and theme parks all this time.

“The most fun about it is going on the road and meeting everybody around the country and being crazy and stupid and silly in front of them and getting tons of laughs,” he said.

And if you’ll notice, I got through this article about pirates without once using the word “Arrrrgh!”

he is the crew chief. Derrow said that every year, in November and December, Pops will tear down the truck. The two of them will take the engine and transmission out, rebuild things, and have the truck ready for the next season.

Derrow said his dad is “hands-on” with the monster truck and “there with me every step of the way.”

Nick Wishard, from Chambersburg, Pa., is also on the crew. He backs Derrow in the pits and pushes safety during performances, said Derrow. Wishard communicates with Derrow by radio while performing.

Safety

Derrow said safety is a factor in this line of work.

Derrow said he the crew carries a remote with them in case something happens. This safety measure will cut the truck’s power and shut the engine off if a concern is noted.

Another safety measure Derrow uses is research.

Each arena/performance location is different, said Derrow. He tries to assess the size of the arena and the terrain.

For example, Derrow said he has a performance coming up at Cart -

eret County Speedway in Swansboro, N.C., which is close to Emerald Isle Beach.

So he researched to see if he would be driving on a sandy surface. Derrow said this helps him know what tires to bring and how to prepare for his performance.

Coming Full Circle?

Derrow said his favorite part about being the driver of Bad News Travels Fast is meeting his fans.

“Because for me, you know, it takes me back to my days, when I was growing up, getting to meet these drivers, and in my eyes, they were just, they were my heroes,” said Derrow.

Now I “see a lot of that same excitement on children’s faces,” said Derrow.

Derrow said he has seen more little girls into monster trucks since his childhood.

“My daughter, she’s obsessed with it,” said Derrow. “So, you never know, my son or daughter may be driving one day.”

Derrow said he had no practice when he was first starting out.

“You can practice all you want at home, but when you get in front of

... 10,000 to 15,000 people ... that’s totally different,” said Derrow. “You pretty much just go in blind and hope for the best.”

However, Derrow said he has learned a lot over the years.

R’ham County Fair

Derrow said he is excited to perform at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds.

“It’s been a few years since we’ve been there,” said Derrow. “We just always love doing local events.”

Derrow said he recalls the last time he was at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds, as a child.

“I grew up watching events there as a kid,” said Derrow. “My first show ever there was 1990.”

Derrow is looking forward to the 2024 Rockingham County Fair.

“We’re just excited to see all our local fans and friends. ... it’s going to be a lot of fun that day!”

Bad News Travels Fast will perform at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Harrisonburg Ford Arena at the Rockingham County Fair.

Contact Lisa Landram at 540-574-6299 or llandram@dnronline.com. Follow Lisa on Twitter @LisaLandram.

Contributed Photo

This provided photo sets the stage for the planned pirate comedy show at the Rockingham County Fair.