Fiesta Days planning: council signs off on higher demolition-derby payouts, green-lights lawnmower race pilot and asks staff for ticketing and Jumbotron bids

Kamas — City organizers and council members finalized several items for the upcoming Fiesta Days: they approved a formalized demolition-derby prize schedule that raises payouts, supported a one-year pilot lawnmower race with modest prize funding, and asked staff to obtain bids for a Jumbotron and complete online ticketing setup with options to prioritize locals.

Derby payouts and process: Event organizers proposed standardizing prize money across heats. The council heard a breakdown from an organizer: first place $6,000 per heat, second $3,000, third $1,500 and a $1,000 “Mad Dog” prize per heat. Those figures total $11,500 per heat; with seven planned categories the organizer said the aggregate payout would be $80,500. Staff and council discussed driver gift payments (approximately $5,000 in prior years) and agreed to pay drivers and distribute checks at the event to reduce later administrative calls.

Council members said the formalized payouts and clearer rules should reduce confusion seen in prior years and make the event more competitive, and organizers will publish the payouts in promotion materials. Staff cited last year’s Derby expenditures (including prizes) at about $73,000 and said derby-related sponsorship and other revenues previously totaled roughly $115,000.

Lawnmower race pilot: Two local small-engine business owners proposed adding a lawnmower race as a short demonstration/filler event during the Derby halftime. The proposal envisions two classes (stock and modified) so children can compete in a stock class and adults in modified. The council signaled willingness to support a pilot and agreed to a modest city contribution: a $1,000 budget for prize money in the first year, supplemented by $100 minimum sponsor packages the event organizers will seek from local businesses. Council members asked organizers to work out safety logistics, trailer parking and transitions so the event can be run quickly during the halftime slot.

Ticketing, sponsorship and Jumbotron: Staff reported they are moving toward online ticket sales through a vendor (eText) and asked whether the council wanted to prioritize local buyers. The council did not finalize parameters but asked staff to explore options (zip-code or other local verification, local pre-sale windows) and to return with recommendations. For sponsor benefits, staff proposed allotting blocks on the West-side bleachers for sponsor tickets while preserving accessible seating; council members requested explicit accommodation for people using wheelchairs.

A Jumbotron for Derby night: Staff said a single-night Jumbotron for the Derby could cost in the order of $10,000–$12,000; staff will obtain bids from vendors and report back. Council members supported obtaining bids so the council can weigh the visual and recording benefits against cost.

Logistics, safety and cleanup: Organizers and staff outlined operational items — traffic-flow options for event entrances, ticket-scan staffing, concessions, parking and final cleanup after the festival. The council approved paying cleanup crews (typically $500 per night for volunteers) and discussed post-event Monday cleanup for the grounds. Public works reported readiness to support quick arena transitions (bobcat, site smoothing) and asked organizers to schedule a site walk and work session before the event.

Ending: Council members approved the derby payout structure as presented and agreed to pilot the lawnmower race with up to $1,000 of prize funding. Staff will return with vendor bids for the Jumbotron, detailed online-ticketing parameters including local-priority options, and a site plan showing entry/ticketing gates and sponsor seating.