As far as events in a grocery store parking lot go, Saturday’s safety fair at the Outpost Mall was most likely the biggest thing that’s going to happen in that parking lot this year.
While representatives from local law enforcement agencies and emergency responders were on hand, it’s safe to say the biggest draw was Bigfoot — not the mythical monster, but the monster truck.
It was the second year in a row that the folks at Tire Pro Automotive organized the visit from Bigfoot, which has been traveling the country and crushing cars since 1981.
Saturday was no different, and if cars had emotion, the automotive victims lined up in front of Bigfoot’s massive tires would have been quaking with fear.
The cars weren’t in the best condition to begin with. By the time Bigfoot was done with them, they were even worse, much to the delight of the crowd.
The day was truly a family event, and there was much more to do when visitors weren’t watching cars get flattened.
While Bigfoot may have been the star attraction, it’s hard to find a kid who isn’t fascinated by police cars and fire trucks, and there were plenty of both on display. Officers with the Camp Verde Marshal’s Office, the Yavapai Apache Police Department, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office were available to answer questions, and to promote child safety and neighborhood watch programs.
Firefighters with the Camp Verde Fire District were happy to give out fire safety tips and child safety seats. There were games for the kids, including a bouncing room and a T-shirt shooting challenge.
There were helmets available for the young bicyclists in the crowd, and they got the opportunity to test their skills in the bike rodeo obstacle course. Better Chester was at the fair on behalf of the Kiwanis Club; she said the kids had been enjoying themselves all morning.
“It’s been a pretty good turnout,” said Pat Kaminsky, another Kiwanis member. Proceeds from concession sales were going to help promote youth and other community programs, including efforts to hand out smoke alarms, and to promote student clubs and activities.
“All of this is for a good cause,” Kaminsky said. “It’s all for the kids.”
