Red Deer's Chad Weiler could not believe his good fortune.
“I am just shocked. I am surprised. It is a nice car but there are a lot of nice cars here. I am very proud to have this award here,” said Weiler.
He was the proud winner of the Telus Award at the 4th Annual Weekend of Wheels, held last Saturday (Sept. 13) in the downtown core. Telus officials gave him the award for his prized 1969 crimson blue Plymouth Satellite.
“Not too many cars are like that out here. It is just a nice colour of blue,” said Weiler.
This year's Weekend of Wheels began with the threat of ominous overcast clouds that left its rainy mark early in the morning. But it did not deter the more than 120 automobile enthusiasts who came from all parts of Alberta to proudly show off their vintage vehicles in the event's celebrated Show n Shine.
“It is an integral part of the economy to have festivals or car shows or bike tours,” noted Mayor Brian Spiller. “They are all good reasons to get people out of doing their regular routine.”
And hundreds of citizens from the community and the region did eagerly brave the threatening weather to view the glitzy array of vintage Fords, Chevys and old but cherished trucks. They drank hot coffee, munched on pancakes and other goodies, and readied themselves for a toast at the event's first-ever evening beer garden and dance at the Henday Mall. Many donated a loonie for the chance to vote in the People's Choice Award, with all proceeds going to the Innisfail Seniors Drop-in, which is matched by the Downtown Business Association.
But mostly everyone engaged in carspeak, much to the delight of event organizer Deb Stoski whose pre-event message, “more than a car show,” lived up to its promise.
However, she had hoped for double the number of final participants but when it was all over she was the last to complain, declaring this year's Weekend of Wheels a big success.
“I was really tinkled pink because this morning it was raining and rides are really important for the guys and I wasn't sure if they would all come out,” said Stoski, who put together the event on a budget of about $6,000. “There was up to 120 cars registered. I was really impressed. If there had been nicer weather it probably would have been around that 250 mark. I had lots of phone calls from all over Alberta.
“I am really proud of these guys who came out, and even with bad weather or not we waited for the sun and it came,” said Stoski, who in the afternoon handed out several car show awards, including the Telus Award to Weiler.
Randy Gibson won the Innisfail Tire & Lube Award for his 1967 Barracuda. The Town of Innisfail Award went to Marvin Schmuland for his 1963 Ford Fairlane. John Jackson, who brought his Scooby-Doo van, took home the Rock 104.5 and CKFM 96.5 Award. Deb and Bill Larrett took the Kerry Towle Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA Award for their convertible truck. Wendy Park-Ramage won the Innisfail Seniors Drop-In Centre Award for her 1948 Chevrolet truck and the People's Choice Award was given to Blaine Desnoyer for his 1971 Chevrolet truck.
This year's edition of the Weekend of Wheels was organized without the always-popular 100-foot shoot-out, a casualty from the lack of volunteers stepping up to help put it together. But Stoski said it was not a factor in the number of show cars that did arrive for the event.
“I don't think so. Show cars and shoot-outs are totally different,” said Stoski. “You've got your guys who got the show cars and you have the guys that race. A lot of these show cars you see on Main Street never race. It is a totally different group of people.”
Stoski said while there will “definitely” be a fifth Weekend of Wheels next year she alone will not bring back the shoot-out, but added information would be provided to anyone interested in reinstating it on how to set up the event and who to contact.
