The mud-slingin', crashin' and bangin' of demolition derby cars always tends to draw a sizable crowd of onlookers to the Greene County Fair. Thursday night was no exception.

The stands and grassy area around the Jim Saulsbury Arena were filled with fans to watch the first night of demolition derby action at the 60th annual Greene County Fair.

Paid attendance on Thursday night was 4,880, the largest crowd of the week, according to fair treasurer James Thornton. Last night's attendance was up considerably over last year's Thursday night attendance, which was 3,716, Thornton said.

The demolition derby was certainly "the No. 1 reason" for Thursday night's large crowd. Derby nights, he said, always draw a larger fair crowd.

Another reason for the larger attendance was the weather. "It was hot, but there was no rain," Thornton said.

The demolition derby featured open V-8 cars -- and included two particularly spectacular hits that knocked at least two of the vehicles onto the tire barrier wall in the mud-filled arena.

First-place went to a local driver, Gary Crittenden, of Bulls Gap, who was driving the No. 8 car. Crittenden was awarded $1,000 for outlasting the rest of the field.

Second-place and $500 went to the driver of the No. 53 car, Will Zak, of Concord, N.C.

Third-place and $300 went to Greg Marvin, of Thomasville, N.C., who drove the No. 51 car.

Demolition derby action will continue this evening, beginning at 7 p.m., with open V-8 and 4-cylinder action.

The WIKQ Youth Talent Contest also drew a sizable crowd to the Main Stage area.

A varied array of performances took place during the contest, including singing, dancing, as well as banjo picking and acoustic classical guitar playing.

First-place winner was vocalist Kayla Kiser, of Bluff City. Kiser was awarded $500 and an opportunity to compete in the regional Youth Talent competition to be held next month at the Tennessee Valley Fair in Knoxville.

Second-place and $300 was awarded to dancer Hannah Harkleroad, of Bluff City. Third-place and $200 was presented to Ashley Ramsey, of Greeneville.

This was the 27th year that the Youth Talent Contest has been presented at the Greene County Fair by WIKQ and Radio Greeneville.

Also on the Main Stage on Thursday evening were contemporary Christian artists B2 Worship.

The five-piece band, which includes a rock flavor in their worship music, are local musicians from Greene County. The band members include: Mitchell Bible, Steve Ellis, Ray Becker, Matt Southerland and Kevin Shelton.

Activities scheduled for Friday include:

* Open Beef Show - 6 p.m.;

* Greeneville's Greatest competition, 7 p.m., GreenBank Pavilion.

* Demolition Derby, open V-8 and 4-cylinder, 7 p.m., Jim Saulsbury Arena;

* Country music entertainers Confederate Railroad, 8 p.m., Main Stage.

Gates open today at 4 p.m. and close at 11 p.m.

On Saturday, gates open to public at 3 p.m. However, the competitive fair events will begin earlier at 10:30 a.m. with the Cow Buddies, followed by Showmanship and the Junior and Commericial Beef Heifer Show at 11 a.m.

Other competitive events on Saturday include: the Jackpot Adult Showmanship at 2 p.m., the Open Beef Show for herefords at 4 p.m., and the Open Angus Show at 6 p.m.

The fair's baby show for classes 15-20 will begin at 5 p.m. at the GreenBank Pavilion.

Evening entertainment on Saturday at the fair includes:

* Demolition Derby for 80s and Up V-8, 7 p.m., at Jim Saulsbury Arena;

* Bulls Gap Band, 7 p.m., on the Main Stage;

* The Foundations, 9 p.m., at GreenBank Pavilion, and

* Greeneville's Greatest Finals (the fair's own version of "American Idol"), 9 p.m., on the Main Stage. The winner of this competition will be awarded $2,000.

Admission to the fair is $7 for adults and children 12 and older; $2 children 6-11, and free to children 5 and under when accompanied by a paying adult.