Smashfest

“Black Friday” was chosen as the day for the event as a way of using the destruction of these items not only for some tension relief but also to highlight the gross nature of overconsumption and to question the celebration of corporations profiting at the expense of their workers and, ultimately, society at large. The darkness of the season perfectly matches the feelings which needed to be purged.

From its scrappy beginnings with metal bands, fire barrels, cheap beer, and some boxes of breakables SmashFest has become a parking lot sized event attended by thousands over the years. Each year the event grew and the need for it was ever increasing. The year the infamous HB2 was signed they dropped a flaming toilet from 20 feet in the air, they created a Glass Ceiling smasher, flaming conquistadores, and many other spectacles. It’s art meets destruction meets therapy meets family fun for all (kids LOVE SmashFest.)

SmashFest is now the Scrap Exchange’s largest annual fundraising event, raising over $10,000 per year and drawing ever larger crowds (1000+ visitors annually!) Attendees buy tickets while entering the event and use them to select from thousands of chipped or damaged items donated to the thrift store which you can then smash by the method you choose. The event now features Smash Gadgets as well as the infamous Smashwall. Drop a bowling ball on your breakable item, use a giant hammer to crush it or a guillotine to slice it. Who knows what comes next? Celebrate this version of Black Friday and experience the giddy pleasure of destroying things with your friends, your family, your community.