A demolition derby is set for Saturday at the Bannock County Fair in Downey.

The event is being hosted by 208 Demolition Derby, which hosts derby events throughout Idaho. It will be in the main arena at the Downey fairgrounds starting at 5 p.m., with gates opening at 3:30 p.m. Entry is $15 for adults and $10 for kids.

Eddy Card and his wife, Cassie, started the Blackfoot-based 208 Demolition Derby last year. The pair has been involved in or spectators of similar demolition events for decades. They said they always traveled for the events and wished there were more in Idaho.

That’s what ultimately prompted them to start their company, which they run part-time in addition to their full-time management jobs elsewhere.

“We just wanted more local derbies because people around here have to jump around to derbies in Utah and out of the area, so we thought to bring in a couple more here to keep it somewhat local,” Eddy said, adding that his and Cassie’s experience participating in derbies has helped make their events successful.

Cassie is from Blackfoot and Eddy moved to Idaho several years ago. The pair have been married for 12 years and now have children who also have a passion for and help them run the derby events.

208 Demolition Derby hosted its first event in 2021, the Shelley Classic Demolition Derby. Cassie and Eddy are hosting that event again this year on Sept. 24 and hope to add another to their list next year at Sandy Downs Arena in Idaho Falls.

Eddy said he’s excited for Saturday’s derby at the Bannock County Fair and is expecting a good turnout. There are about 40 cars already registered to participate. The main event will be the mini showdown, but there will be others, including figure eight racing.

Prize money for the top contestant in the mini class will range from $3,500 for first place to $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third.

This Saturday’s “Bannock County Mini Showdown” is the first demolition derby ever to be featured at the Bannock County Fair, according to fair organizers.

“The people with Bannock County have been amazing to work with,” Eddy said. “The payout we’re offering is pretty high for a mini class, so it’ll bring out a lot of people that are shooting for that dollar amount, but a lot of the guys really do it for fun. They’re out there just to hit hard and put on a good show.”

For more information, find 208 Demolition Derby on Facebook.