‘More fun when you get to hear the noise’: ‘Monsters of Destruction’ returns to Redmond for two nights of competition
Some drivers are living out their childhood dreams
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Monster trucks are going head-to-head in an all-out battle to see who’s toughest Friday and Saturday nights at Monsters of Destruction in Redmond.
The competition returns to the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center for two nights of shows, both starting at 7:30 p.m.
Kylie Thurber is one of the drivers competing in Redmond. Her love for monster trucks started young.
"The twin boys that I work for, we met when we were 11 years old at a show that our mom and I have a twin sister, and so we kind of just like followed them around for a lot of years." Thurber said. "I think for the first six years we just kind of traveled along with them and learned how to work on them. Six years ago, they hired us full-time."
Now, Thurber and her sister travel around the country, living out their childhood dreams as monster truck drivers. The twin boys she is referring to are Travis and Tyler Groth, who are also competing in Redmond.
The drivers say the show can get pretty loud.
"A lot of noise," Thurber said. "It's an indoor building, so it's going to echo off everywhere - which is more fun to me, when you get to hear the noise."
Thurber mentioned that she’ll be driving while her sister works with the crew and noted that she occasionally gets to compete against her twin.
Kids' tickets are $12, adult tickets are $25 and VIP passes are available for $60.
Attendees who arrive early can get an up-close view of the trucks at the free pit party. They also have the opportunity to meet the drivers, get autographs and take photos. It begins two hours prior to the show.
For $15, show attendees have the opportunity to ride around in one of the trucks.
"This one is built to give rides to the kids," said monster truck driver Tyler Groth. "It doesn't matter if you're 78 years old or 7 years old. It's fun for everybody, and you just sit in the back. I think the seats in the very back are the most fun."
