Calling all car enthusiasts.
The annual Weekend of Wheels is returning with a two-day event Sept. 10 and 11, and will feature the Show & Shine car show and the 100-foot shootout.
The Innisfail Kinsmen Club and Kinette Club of Innisfail took over the reins earlier this year to keep the annual event an Innisfail tradition.
“The Innisfail Kinsmen and Kinettes are excited about carrying on what Deb Stoski and the Downtown Business Association put together,” said Russ Klemmer, a Kinsmen director. “Previous years have been fantastic and we're hoping we can continue on with that tradition.”
The weekend kicks off Sept. 10 with the Show & Shine car show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. followed by the 100-foot shootout on Sept. 11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“We are bringing the shootout back after a two- or three-year absence,” said Klemmer. “The 100-foot shootout is a shorter version of the eight and quarter mile drag races. We will have cars set up side by side racing each other in timed events,” he added, noting there will be a $5 entrance fee for shootout spectators on Sunday.
This year the Show & Shine will be hosted at John's nofrills. Vehicles will be parked on the grass section to the east (facing Highway 2A) and in a portion of the parking lot.
The shootout will take place on 42 Street in front of the Innisfail Arena.
“With the Innisfail Kinsmen (and Kinettes) taking over the Weekend of Wheels, the event itself might be scaled back a little bit from previous years,” explained Klemmer, adding they hope to provide a variety of vendors for the weekend.
“We're in the process right now of gathering a number of different vendors, both food and car show memorabilia type vendors.”
Planning for the event is going well but not as quickly as they had envisioned noted Klemmer, partly due to the tough economic times facing many organizations and businesses.
“We've approached a number of businesses similar to previous years seeking sponsorship for the event,” he said. “With the tougher economy the sponsorship dollars that were there in the past are difficult to grab this year.”
Despite the economic uncertainty, they are anticipating a similar showing as in previous years with a great showcase of classic, mopar and antique vehicles.
“We have our Facebook page up and we've had a number of inquiries but nobody has pre-registered yet,” said Klemmer, noting that participants can register the day of the car show.
“Innisfail has a pretty strong car culture within our tight-knit community. If previous years are any indication, we'll draw (participants) all the way from Airdrie and Calgary to the south and Stettler and Lacombe to the north.”
Registration for the Show & Shine is $10 and the shootout is $25, noted Klemmer, adding that anyone with a car can participate in Innisfail's Weekend of Wheels.
“We're open to any and all cars. If you've got a brand new car that you're proud of and you want to show it off, bring it out,” he said. “I think we'll have an area set up on the pavement for motorcycles too.”
Klemmer said it's a weekend for the entire family to enjoy.
“People anywhere from five to 85 can come out and enjoy the event.”
For more information visit the Innisfail Kinsmen/Kinettes Weekend Of Wheels on Facebook.
Russ Klemmer, a Kinsmen director
"We are bringing the shootout back after a two- or three-year absence."
