SPECIAL EVENT | Monster Jam 

If I was an old, beaten-up car, and on my last tie rods, I'd definitely want to go out as crash-fodder for a demolition derby before being scrapped. Ring in the New Year with a smashing good time at the Monster Jam demolition derby, which returns to the Blue Cross Arena (1 War Memorial Square) this week.

At about 12 feet tall and around 12 feet wide, monster trucks are custom-designed behemoths that sit atop 66-inch-tall tires and weigh at least 10,000 pounds. They are capable of bursts of speed up to 100 miles per hour, can fly up to 130 feet — the length of more than 14 cars side by side — and up to 35 feet in the air. Popular trucks and drivers expected at this year's event include "Grave Digger" and Gary Porter, "Monster Mutt" and Whit Tarlton, "Aftershock" and Western New York native Bob Robbins, "Illuminator" and Jay Snyder, and "Rap Attack" and Dave Rappach (pictured).

The event begins Friday, January 3, at 7:30 p.m. Shows will also be held Saturday, January 4, at 7:30 p.m., with a pit party 4-6 p.m., and Sunday, January 5, at 2 p.m., with a pit party 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. At the pit parties, fans can meet the drivers, get autographs, take photos with the trucks, and participate in other family-friendly events. There is no pit party on opening night. Tickets start at $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 2-12, and can be purchased by calling 800-745-3000 or by visiting ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit bluecrossarena.com.