2020 Colfax Demo Derby canceled

The smashed metal and carnage found at the Colfax Demo Derby will have to wait until next year after the annual event canceled the 2020 edition due to the ongoing pandemic.

The Colfax Demo Derby, which is in its 12th year, is just the latest event to cancel in the area. Along with the derby, the Iowa State Fair, Baxter Fun Days, Prairie City Prairie Days and Monroe Old Settlers have canceled, just to name a few.

"When you think about trying to social distance that was going to be a severe obstacle and would have required limiting the number of people we allowed into see the derby," event organizer Brad Magg said.

Each year, large numbers fill the Jasper County Fair grounds to see the popular event, crowding in close to take in the action. Because of its popularity, the organizers found it would have been difficult to limit the number of people attending, especially with its large out-of-town following.

"The other concern is that someone may bring COVID, someone who may be asymptomatic brings it to our community and gives it to one or two people it could spread through our community very fast," Magg said.

Those involved with the decision tried to look at ways the demo derby could still be held including ideas such as limiting the number of people who could attend or trying to keep people six feet apart but those options brought with them their own set of issues.

"If we were limiting the number of people that could get in and it was a first come first serve basis that could be quite a line and a lot of pressure for a group of volunteers to manage," Magg said.

While this year there will be no carnage happening at the Jasper County Fairgrounds, the hopes are that next year everyone will be excited and ready to go. While it was a difficult decision to make those involved felt it was the best decision to not have the derby this year.

"We are very proud of what the derby has evolved into over the last 10 years ... We look forward to the same small town event that brings the community together and brings people from outside the community in to see how great our little town is," Magg said.

Usually, the Colfax Demo Derby is a good fundraiser for Colfax Main Street and for those that may want to make a donation they can make a donation at colfaxmainstreet.com.

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com