Best Bets: Smashing Cancer again invading the fairgrounds for Paint the Town Pink

Published 6:45 am Thursday, February 6, 2020

As Paint the Town Pink continues in Austin, residents and visitors alike will have the opportunity to watch vehicles getting smashed in order to raise money to smash cancer.

Now in its seventh year, the 2020 Smashing Cancer Demolition Derby will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9, at the Mower County Fairgrounds.

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“It’s our (the Mower County Fair Board) way to give to Paint the Town Pink,” said Mower County Fair Board President Kevin Finley.

There are several categories in which vehicles will be competing with prizes for the top three in each category:

80s and Old Iron

  • First – $1000 and trophy
  • Second -$ 500 and trophy
  • Third – $300 and trophy

Stock Trucks

  • First – $700 and trophy
  • Second – $400 and trophy
  • Third – $200 and trophy

80s Chain Class

  • First – $700 and trophy
  • Second – $400 and trophy
  • Third – $200 and trophy

Compacts

  • First – $500 and trophy
  • Second – $250 and trophy
  • Third – $100 and trophy

Mid Size

  • First – $500 and trophy
  • Second – $250 and trophy
  • Third – $100 and trophy

Mini Vans / SUVs and Compact Trucks

  • First – $500 and trophy
  • Second – $250 and trophy
  • Third – $100 and trophy

Tickets for the Grandstand are $10 for ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 5-12 and free for ages 5 and under. Pit passes are available for $20.

For the first time during this event, visitors can take advantage of the new heated Beer Garden in the Purple Ribbon Plaza.

“There’s plenty of seating and it’s well lit,” Finley said.

As part of the event, Finley said there will also be a silent auction of donated items that will appeal to kids, men and women. Food will range from pulled pork sandwiches to Godfather’s Pizza. Smashing Cancer Demolition t-shirts and sweatshirts will also be available for purchase for $10 and $35, respectively.

All proceeds raised will go toward cancer research at The Hormel Institute.

“It’s a completely volunteer-run event and it’s great for kids and families; it’s a good time,” Finley said.

For more information, go to www.hi.umn.edu/pttp, email goPTTP@gmail.com or call 507-460-0259.


Schedule of Events

Friday

• “Pecos Bill and Slue Foot Sue Meet the Dirty Dan Gang,” 7 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. A Matchbox Children’s Theatre production. Granny is being threatened by Dirty Dan and his gang, bandits who quiver and shake whenever there’s mention of soap and water. Pecos Bill and Slue-Foot Sue arrive just in time to save the day. This melodrama is filled with contests, complications and loaded with laughs. Tickets $10 for adults, $6 for children 2-14; season and family tickets available. For tickets or more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or www.matchboxchildrenstheatre.org or call 507-434-0934.

• Austin Bruins vs. St. Cloud, 7:05 p.m. at Riverside Arena. Go, Bruins! Tickets available at Hy-Vee, Holiday Inn, Games People Play, Jim’s Marketplace and Riverside Arena. For more information, go to www.austinbruins.com.

Saturday

• Kids Music in Motion, 10 a.m. at the Hormel Historic Home. A Hormel Historic Home History for Half Pints Event, featuring the MacPhail Percussion Ensemble. Explore the historic home before and after the interactive show at 10:30 am.  $2 per child. Free for HHH Members. Registration is appreciated; walk-ins welcome. To register or for more information, go to www.hormelhistorichome.org or call 507-433-4243.

• Kids’ Studio – Wall-Hanging Pockets, 10:30 a.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. With Laura Brandenburg. Cost $5 per child; geared towards kids ages 5 – 10. To sign up or for more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• Author Visit – Don Peterson, 1 p.m. at Sweet Reads. Meet Blooming Prairie native and Brownsdale author Don Peterson, who entertains with short stories. For more information, call 507-396-8660.

• “Pecos Bill and Slue Foot Sue Meet the Dirty Dan Gang,” 7 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. A Matchbox Children’s Theatre production. Granny is being threatened by Dirty Dan and his gang, bandits who quiver and shake whenever there’s mention of soap and water. Pecos Bill and Slue-Foot Sue arrive just in time to save the day. This melodrama is filled with contests, complications and loaded with laughs. Tickets $10 for adults, $6 for children 2-14; season and family tickets available. For tickets or more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or www.matchboxchildrenstheatre.org or call 507-434-0934.

• Austin Bruins vs. St. Cloud – Paint the Rink Pink, 7:05 p.m. at Riverside Arena. Go, Bruins! Not just hockey this night – there will be all sorts of activities, including a jersey auction to benefit cancer research at The Hormel Institute.Tickets available at Hy-Vee, Holiday Inn, Games People Play, Jim’s Marketplace and Riverside Arena. For more information, go to www.austinbruins.com.

Sunday

• Riders Pancake Breakfast, 9 a.m. to noon at American Legion Post 91. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat pancake feast at the Legion – pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee and juice. Cost – $8 for adults, $4 for kids down to 6, free for kids under 6. All proceeds benefit Legion Riders programs. For more information, call 507-437-1151.

• “Pecos Bill and Slue Foot Sue Meet the Dirty Dan Gang,” 2 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. A Matchbox Children’s Theatre production. Granny is being threatened by Dirty Dan and his gang, bandits who quiver and shake whenever there’s mention of soap and water. Pecos Bill and Slue-Foot Sue arrive just in time to save the day. This melodrama is filled with contests, complications and loaded with laughs. Tickets $10 for adults, $6 for children 2-14; season and family tickets available. For tickets or more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or www.matchboxchildrenstheatre.org or call 507-434-0934.