Where do I begin?
This was the funnest thing I've done since arriving in Moab, and I've done a few cool things but this was WAAAYY over the top.
It all started with seeing the posters around town for the roller derby that's coming in January 19th, which sounds interesting.... then this last week the anticipation really started to ramp-up. It's been advertised on the radio like every 15 minutes for the last few days, followed by signs popping up on street corners. Big wooden signs with large arrows and bright red letters "ROLLER DERBY."
I show up at 6:00 p.m. at the Old Spanish Trail Arena (indoor rodeo arena) just south of town. Parking isn't too bad but there's probably 100 cars in the snow covered lot. I almost slip and fall on the ice trying to get to the front door. Admission is $10, which is reasonable for this kind of entertainment and the place is pretty packed-out. I do a rough calculation and figure there's at least 700 people cramming the bleachers for the main event; Utah vs Colorado. The teams are comprised of 5 member squads of young women in their teens to late twenties; all decked out in head gear, elbow and knee pads, funky make-up and an assortment of tights and bikini bottom shorts.
I'm standing on the handrail above the bleachers, as-far-as I'm concerned it's the best place to watch the show. I get a beer (Moab Brewery IPA....sweet nectar served by a guy in roller derby drag) and join some locals leaning on the rail recalling the old days when roller derby was experienced on the black and white TV late on Saturday night. Those were pro skaters, big burly women who were good at inflicting pain on their opponents. These girls tonight are here to compete and have fun, and everyone knows it.
I'm looking around at the crowd, mostly locals. I spot a young man in a tuxedo shirt, bow tie and a plaid kilt coming up the stairs and entering the announcers booth. I also notice a few twenty something white guys with dreadlocks, a cheer leading squad that could be contestants on "Let's Make A Deal" and I suddenly feel at home. Moab happens to be one of those places where you can get away with a kilt, dreadlocks and a decorated Chinese paddy hat, and no one will think ill of you. It's just part of trying to be yourself in a place that values self expression and living in the moment.
The National Anthem is played by the local marching band, not the local high school band...another band. A tuba, saxophone and three percussionists. It's more of a New Orleans rendition that, believe it or not, is actually danceable.....the "Let's Make a Deal" cheerleaders are showing us how it's done....smiles and wild cheering follows.
The skating is entertaining. Utah, being the locals favorite gets the most clamping and war-whoops from the crowd. Colorado however has a powerful cheering section in the stands. No fights breakout... that form of redneck behavior will not be tolerated in this town.
At halftime the band comes back out to play some dance music.....let's see the video....
In the end Utah smokes Colorado 231-122. I sincerely hope that this returns again next year....it really was a great evening in Moab.
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