Ashville, N.C., resident Brian Berry was a little dirty after driving his ATV through the mud pit available during Dirt Days held last week. The event also included ATV drag races, wheelie contests, an obstacle course and poker run.

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THREE MILE CURVE — Local organizers were well pleased with the turnout during last week’s Dirt Days held at Thunderblast Park.

“We actually had a good turnout this year. We had a lot of locals come out,” said John Twardy, owner of Thunderblast Park. “I would say we had three times as many locals come out this year than last year. We had close to 500 people there on the weekend.”

Held in conjunction with the Hatfield-McCoy Trails, Dirt Days events included a mud pit, obstacle course, drag races, wheelie contests and more. Twardy said there were more than 250 registered participants and more than $2,000 in cash and prizes given out.

“We had a lot of return participants because it is so family-oriented,” Twardy said.

Jeff Lusk, director of the Hatfield-McCoy Trails, said everyone enjoyed themselves at the event.

“Folks had a wonderful time. The weather was just perfect,” Lusk said. “There was a lot going on at the events and we didn’t get any complaints from the riders. They said the trails were wonderful. John Twardy and his folks just rolled out the red carpet.”

Unfortunately, Dirt Days and other family-oriented events will soon come to an end at Thunderblast Park. Twardy isn’t sure when the park will close since that is dependent on progress of the new Rt. 10 construction and funding.

“Unfortunately, we won’t be opening it down here when we lose it,” Twardy said. “We’re going to try and move it to where we do the other trail fests at Gilbert.”

Twardy said he has searched locally for a parcel of land large enough contain Thunderblast Park.

“There is just no place in Logan big enough with water and electric. People want electric campsites, not just a bottom to camp in, something nicer,” said Twardy. “For me to move it, I would have to have at least a 10 year lease on something. My lease up here is a 10 year renewable.”

Twardy said it would also cost a lot of money for him to rebuild areas like a drag race strip, campsites, parking and facilities locally.

“That’s why I’m thinking of taking it to Gilbert,” said Twardy. “They already have things like that set up.”