Our Story

The Parkside Demolition Derby began in 1981, hosted by the Parkside Lions Club at the sports grounds along Highway 40 in Parkside, Saskatchewan. The inaugural event drew an impressive crowd of 800 spectators and featured 14 cars crashing and smashing in a dirt ring outlined with straw bales. It was a single-heat, winner-takes-all showdown. After the derby, the community gathered on Main Street for a lively street dance with a live band. Proceeds from that first event were donated to the Village of Parkside and the Parkside Curling Club. The event’s success made it clear: the Demolition Derby was here to stay.

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A decade later, the Derby was thriving. Attendance had nearly doubled to 1,500 people, and the event raised $10,000 for the village. By 1992, the Derby had outgrown its original location and moved to a permanent site, purpose-built for the event. New amenities followed: a canteen, mud volleyball pit, a cement bandstand, and ball diamonds. What began as a single-day event evolved into a full weekend celebration—one locals and visitors marked on their calendars each year, often coinciding with the hottest days of summer.

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The weekend festivities expanded to include a two-day slo-pitch tournament, a mud volleyball competition, and of course, the main event: the demolition derby, capped off with a dance under the stars. A key, yet sometimes underappreciated part of the weekend is the slo-pitch tournament. As one of the longest-running slo-pitch tournaments in Saskatchewan, it draws teams and spectators from across the province and adds another layer of fun for all ages.

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In 2001, the event faced a major turning point. The Parkside Lions Club disbanded, putting the future of the Derby in question. Recognizing its importance—not only for Parkside’s vitality but also for its charitable impact—a dedicated group of volunteers, including former Lions members and community supporters, formed the Parkside Community Club. This new organization took over the event’s planning and operation, ensuring its survival and continued growth.

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Today, the Parkside Demolition Derby welcomes over 3,000 spectators annually. The event enjoys tremendous support from local businesses, a strong volunteer base, and increasing attention from participants and fans across the country. As a result, there’s ongoing discussion about necessary upgrades to accommodate this growth. Thanks to community efforts, volunteer work bees, and donations of time, materials, and funding, the Parkside Community Club has completed over $200,000 worth of improvements in the last decade alone. These include new bleachers, a wooden fence around the bandstand, a new kitchen and canteen, and an announcer’s booth with skyboxes.

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As demolition derby events across the country decline, Parkside’s continues to flourish. Social media and modern advertising have helped double the event’s size in the past two years, attracting fans and drivers from across Canada.

This incredible success wouldn't be possible without our passionate volunteers and generous local businesses who understand the importance of the cause.

 

Thanks to these joint efforts, the Parkside Community Club has donated over $300,000 in the past 17 years to local organizations, charities, and families in need.

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If YOU want to be apart of the magic, volunteer your time, give back to your community, and have a great time in the process, click the button below, or fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page, to inquire about event shifts, or joining our committee!