Sue McIntire displays one of the car trophies to be awarded at this weekend's Jeffco Expo. (Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News)

Sue McIntire displays one of the car trophies to be awarded at this weekend's Jeffco Expo. (Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News)

WEEKEND: The Jeffco Expo — demolition derbies and drags to kid’ s U-fish pond — is back this weekend

PORT TOWNSEND — The Jeffco Expo’s demolition derbies, dirt drags, monster trucks and Big Purple Slide will be back this weekend at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.

But the 15th annual Jeffco Expo could be the last.

“This is a lot of work and is really not a big money maker,” said Sue McIntire, who manages the fairgrounds along with her husband, fair board President Bill McIntire.

“If it doesn’t go big this year, it could go away.”

The Jeffco Expo will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds at 4907 Landes St., Port Townsend.

Admission is $5 on Saturday and $8 on Sunday for all those 12 and older. Children 11 and younger and active military with current identification will be admitted free of charge.

All activities are free with gate admission.

About 2,000 people attended last year’s expo, Sue McIntire said.

She said that if people want the expo to continue, they need to show their support.

“If people want these events to continue, they need to come out, whether they are participating or if they just come out to watch,” she said.

Last year’s expo pulled in about $6,000, less than hopes and projections, she said.

“I can net $3,000 for the garage sale [held annually in March], and it’s a lot less work,” McIntire said.

“We get a lot of volunteers for the event, but all the preparation is done by four people.”

Saturday events

Registration for Saturday’s Car and Bike Show is from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by judging from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ballots can be picked up and dropped off at the information booth, fair office and red-hot raffle area.

At 4 p.m., awards will be presented by the 2015 Rhododendron Royalty.

Saturday’s special events will include the dirt drags, tough truck competition and rollover contest.

Sunday’s schedule includes the stars of the show: two demolition derbies, one for adults and one for youngsters between 10 and 15 years old.

Check-in for both days begins at 8 a.m., with the events beginning at 11 a.m.

The Saturday event fee is $40. Sunday costs $50.

Pit passes on both days cost $20.

Both days

On both Saturday and Sunday, the expo will offer:

■ Monster truck rides.

■ The Big Purple Slide.

■ Kid’s Bingo — 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. in the Erickson Building dining room, with prizes awarded both days.

■ Dime toss and basketball game — Noon to 3 p.m. in the 4-H Building.

■ Garage sale — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Cat Building.

■ Scavenger hunt for children.

■ Kids’ U-fish pond — For children 13 and younger accompanied by adults. Each child can keep one fish he or she pulls from the pond.

■ Fair Restaurant — 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with breakfast and lunch menus; also open during Groovy Bingo.

Tentative plans are in place for a miniature golf course.

“I’ve received a promise for this. I hope it comes through,” McIntire said.

Only service dogs are allowed on the grounds during the expo.

The Jeffco Expo is an annual dry run for the Jefferson County Fair.

It serves as a way to raise funds for the August fair while getting people out to the fairgrounds at the beginning of the season.

Expo proceeds support fairgrounds maintenance and repairs prior to the county fair, which will mark its 77th anniversary this year when it opens Aug. 14 for a three-day run.

For more information, see http://tinyurl.com/jeffersonexpo.

________

Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Poplars to be removed in spring

Boat Yard expansion part of larger project

Jeffco Aquatic Coalition launches pool survey

Results intended to inform design process

A snow-covered Mount Angeles is seen from Black Diamond Road a few miles south of Port Angeles. While the Peninsula has seen temperatures below freezing this week, a warming trend is expected by this weekend with highs reaching the upper 40s and overnight lows in the 30s. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Winter snowscape

A snow-covered Mount Angeles is seen from Black Diamond Road a few… Continue reading

JoAnn declares bankruptcy; Port Angeles store to close

The Joann fabrics and crafts store in Port Angeles… Continue reading

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris to her grandson, Damien Millet, 9, after it was located with a metal detector and dug from the sand at Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles on Wednesday. They were combing the beach in search of whatever hidden treasures they could find. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Beach combing

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris… Continue reading

Six Peninsula school measures passing

Sequim voters approve bond, levy

Port Townsend, Chimacum pass school levies

Funds will support facilities, supplies, transportation

Counties can collect up to $1.80 of property tax per $1,000 of assessed value, but they are only allowed to increase their property tax collection amount by 1 percent each year, excluding new construction, without voter approval.
Clallam already eyeing 2026 cuts

If county can’t raise revenue, it may cut employees, services

Port Angeles School Board to conduct community conversation

Port Angeles School Board members will be available to… Continue reading

After-school art program returns to Stevens Middle School

Let’s Make Art, a free after-school program at Stevens… Continue reading

Department of Licensing offices to be closed

PORT ANGELES – The Department of Licensing office of the Clallam County… Continue reading

Voters approving all Peninsula school measures

Sequim bond passing with required supermajority