CHESTER — Moe Boisseau Sr. said he expects the demolition derby will be the biggest draw at this year’s Littleville Fair, which runs Aug. 2, 3 and 4 in the fairgrounds at 15 Kinnebrook Rd. in Chester.
“Last year was the first year, and eight or nine cars competed in the demolition derby. A substantial amount more are signed up this year,” said Boisseau, president of the Littleville Fair Association. The derby takes place on the Saturday evening of the fair.
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Registration is still open. According to the regulations, four-cylinder, six-cylinder and eight-cylinder cars can compete, but they cannot be modified except for a dash bar on the driver’s side, and everything except the driver’s seat and dashboard must be removed. Neck braces are recommended and required with a dash bar. The list of rules and registration is posted at www.littlevillefair.com.
Boisseau also had three cars left for sale for the demo derby, at $300 each, as of July 19. Anyone interested in the cars or with questions on the demo derby can call him at 413-364-4411. The total cash purse for the derby is $1,200.
Last year’s overall winner was Kevin O’Brien, a senior at Westfield Technical Academy. He won the car that the Littleville Fair Association raffled off at Gateway Auto on a $5 ticket, and went on to best local champions in his first-ever demolition derby, bringing home $500.
Another popular event returning for the second year will be bingo on Friday evening, Aug. 2, beginning at 6 p.m. in the newly refurbished dining hall. At the same time, outside from 5 to 8 p.m. will be line dancing with the Stompin Boots in their first appearance.
The New England Lawnmower Races are also returning for a second year, beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3. Also on Saturday, along with the demolition derby, are oxen draws, dairy and beef cattle shows, and lots of activities for kids. A barbecue chicken dinner will be available in the dining hall, and the Sidetracked band will perform from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by Whiskey Traveler, 5-9 p.m.
On Sunday, Aug. 4, the Pitoniak Brothers band performs 9-11:30 a.m., and Old Country Road from noon to 3 p.m., and a turkey dinner with all the fixin’s will be offered in the dining hall.
All day on Saturday and Sunday, children can enjoy the 4-H petting zoo, pony rides, and new this year, the Family Jungle Reptile and Exotic Bird Exhibit from Westfield.
Boisseau said association members completed building a new bath house with up-to-date accessible bathroom facilities for fair patrons, and showers for overnight guests. The project was kickstarted by a Massachusetts Cultural Council grant of $110,000, and the remaining funds were raised by the Littleville Fair Association through annual events and donations. Boisseau said it took them all year to complete the project.
Admission for the Littleville Fair is $10, free for children aged 12 and under. The fair runs 4-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3; and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4. A complete list of activities, exhibits and raffle prizes is available at www.littlevillefair.com.
