Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
There are not many things kids can do during this time of coronavirus pandemic. Nearly every outdoor sports activity, recreation park and pool were closed over the summer. Therefore, when the Derby announced that they were going to have the Power Wheels on August 22, before the big derby, parents said their little tikes got excited.
Emcee Sammy Huffman apologized to the spectators as had to take place in the grassier area near the tower instead of in the ring. “We apologize for that, but it was just way too muddy for those little cars in the pit,” he said.
The first 2020 Power Wheels Derby was on its way and the kids were lined up facing one another.
All positioned themselves professionally with helmets fastened snug, hands on their steering wheels and their eyes going back and forth looking at one other and little Braxton gave the peace sign to everyone.
The young Power Wheels drivers were: Rylan Mitchell – 88, Trever Fisher – 21, Addison James – 6, Braxton Martin – Red, McKenzie Meadows – Blue/black/rose, Haiden Price – Grave digger, Aubrey Trivette – 35, Gabe Patterson – 7 and Charlie Bob Dunbar in the red tire car.
There was a spectator countdown, led by Huffman, and most parents didn’t even have to tell their child to “go.” Said one father, “None seemed to hesitate to put their foot on the gas. They all knew what to do.”
Hits were made, looks were given and giggles were abundant. Parents laughed just as much as they videoed the special event.
Then little Braxton decided he would rather take a drive elsewhere as he headed straight out for the muddy derby ring. Mom ran and caught him before he got too far in.
“Check out that little #6 station wagon out there, he made a big slammin hit,” Huffman announced.
Parents jumped to the rescue as kids got entangled. Some would look at one another and giggle while others tried their best to get loose, ready to hit again.
“Looks like we have a little standstill out here, but we got a couple still moving around a little bit. I believe some batteries are dead or the gears are gone,” Huffman said.
The kids were enjoying themselves when Huffman said, “There goes another one going towards the mud bog ring.”
And, he made it all the way into the mud in his little green buggy. “He figured he’s done enough derbying, he’s gonna mud bog some,” said Huffman with a laugh.
He drove a little way, looked back as to be looking for his parents for approval, then put his foot on the gas and slid on into the six inches of mud. But, he didn’t stop there. He headed right towards the big mud hole in the corner.
Huffman said, “I wouldn’t go out there if I were you!”
The little boy stopped and looked around.
Huffman added, “I wouldn’t go out there if you aren’t stuck now because you’re gonna get stuck.”
But, away he went.
“You better give her some gas son,” Huffman said as he drove himself into the deeper mud.
Spectators gave him a big handclap. For some, it was the only power wheels driver they got to see as the little tikes were over on the far side of the ring.
“That’s what egged him on,” someone said with a smile. “He heard everyone cheering him on and he just had to go for it.”
He couldn’t go any further, so he got out of his car and sunk his tennis shoes down in the mud as he tried to walk. Donnie Fisher came through the mud to the rescue. Again, people cheered him on as he went out of the ring, and he left smiling.
The kids were still ramming, yelling, giggling and backing up to do it again.
Then, the little fella that just got pulled in out of the mud bog ring, headed back into it as he drove forward, looking sheepishly backwards, but he was caught before he got fully back into the ring.
“Let’s give these kids a good applause as they are our future derby drivers,” Huffman said as people stood, applauded, and whistled with glee.
“They really have a ball doing this. I wish it hadn’t rained so they could have had the ring,” Huffman added.
The event was sponsored by Guthrie Insurance Agency, though Angie Guthrie-Ponton and her husband Bub could not be present because of prior plans.
Kids were overjoyed to get their trophy from Guthrie Insurance and some still gave a little tap onto their friends’ cars, as they exited the area.
Parents are encouraged to fix their child’s car up for the next little tikes Power Wheels on Saturday, October 10.
