The Innisfail and District Historical Village is now officially open.
Throngs of people came through the rough-hewn gates of the historical village on May 24 as a morning pancake breakfast started off the 10th Annual Vintage Car show and parade and 2014 tourist season.
“This was a great day to open the village and host a car show,” said Studebaker Avanti owner Bob McPhee. “Usually the weather is not so good but this year it has cooperated.”
The owner of the rare Avanti model spoke of his vintage auto with admiration.
“I bought it about 20 years ago from a guy in Moose Jaw and it had the original two-tone paint then,” said McPhee. “After painting it and doing a little work on the car it became what you see now.”
A wide variety of vintage cars registered for the show with roadsters from the 1920s to a 1968 truck exhibited on the historical village grounds. Several vehicles stood out for their outstanding condition such as the 1946 Dodge five passenger coupe owned by Jim Stuve of Red Deer.
Red Deer County counc. Don Church displayed his 1968 Camaro and his wife showed off her vintage truck.
“It really is amazing how much these cars go up in value with a little bit of work into them,” said Church. “We know of a man who bought one for $650 and did some restoration and it became a $25,000 purchase.”
Other vehicles on display included a 1952 Ford half-ton, a remarkable 1959 Chevrolet Impala with gull wings owned by Edith and Neil Harper, and a 1967 Ford Galaxy 500 for a total of 13 vehicles.
Winners of the best-of-categories were announced at 12:30 p.m. and the vintage delegation lined up to parade through the town to meet up at A & W where they feasted on nostalgia.
Innisfail resident Charlie Farquharson and his granddaughter Millie took part in the breakfast and cart show.
“This really was a beautiful day for the village to open up,” said Farquharson. “My granddaughter and I have enjoyed the day. I am a history buff so I take advantage of opportunities like this when I can.”
Close to 150 people took part in the morning festivities at the Historical Village.
The Innisfail Historical Village can be contacted at 403-227-2906 and the event schedule is available at www.innisfailhistory.ca.
