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Another successful year for Bentley Show and Shine

Numbers were up for the Bentley RevMasters Car Club’s annual Kroozin' West Show and Shine Aug. 9.
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The 1947 Mercury truck of Wayne Buchart from Calgary was voted “Best in Show” at the 2014 Bentley RevMasters Car Club’s annual Kroozin’ West Show & Shine Aug. 9.

Numbers were up for the Bentley RevMasters Car Club’s annual Kroozin' West Show and Shine Aug. 9. Last year, there was an increase of about 25 entries, and that increased by another 10 this year for a total of 143 entries — almost too much to take in for part of one afternoon!

"So much depends on the weather, and we were blessed with a perfect day. Not too hot, no wind, and glorious sunshine. We are a popular show because the competitors are able to park on the grass and because of all the other activities and amenities so close," stated car club spokesman Rick Park. "Our crowds for the show and shine were huge, as they are every year. We haven't completed our financial tally for this year, but it looks like a banner year."

The whole show was staged alongside Railway Avenue and once again the format was to have only competitors vote to pick the "Top Ten" instead of having a variety of distinct categories.

Trophies were once again a very unique design. This year, they were 3-D ceramic tablets, reminiscent of a huge trophy belt buckle for shape, depicting two hot rods parked in front of an old-style drive-in restaurant. They could be hung as a plaque, while a base allowed them to be a free-standing trophy.

Voted “Best in Show” was the 1947 Mercury truck of Wayne Buchart of Calgary, and the “Mayor’s Choice”, as chosen by town mayor Lynda Haarstad-Petten, was Jeannette Dezall's 1949 Chev (five window) from Spruce View.

The “People’s Choice”, as voted on by spectators who have a chance to fill out ballots, was again Danny Johnson’s 1969 Road Runner from Bentley, and the “Furthest Travelled” was awarded to Geoff Baltzer from Nanaimo, B.C. with his 1965 Cobra.

In the “What Else Ya' Got” category for things other than cars or trucks that include motorcycles, tractors etc., the winner was Declan Peterson from Bentley with his 1941 Allis Chalmers tractor.

Placing in the "Top Ten", in alphabetical order were: Grant Baldry from Red Deer with his 1959 Ford, Burt Curtis from Crossfield with his 1935 Ford truck, Terry McLeod from Fort St. John with a 1955 Chev truck, Colin McMann's 1969 Dodge Super Bee from Sylvan Lake, Daniel Pelletier's 1969 Mustang from Red Deer, Doug Penny from Lacombe had a 1970 Plymouth Duster, Lynda Popovitch from Sylvan Lake had her 1961 Chev Impala, Wayne Russell from Red Deer showed his 1950 Ford Woody, Roger Sherba's 1978 Ford was from Rocky Mountain House, and Kent Stormoem from Sylvan Lake displayed his 1949 Mercury.

Community support for the show remains fantastic, both for donations and volunteer help, with many volunteering over and over again each year.

"Our volunteers are outstanding. We have always had a great core group and are never short of help. Servus Credit Union has always been a huge help. Every year they show up with four or five people and stay the whole day," said Park.

Both the car show and the Saturday evening fireworks are co-ordinated by members of the Bentley RevMasters Car Club, with support from the Bentley Ag Society.

For 2014, due to the continued generous response from community, organization, municipal, and outstanding support from private citizens, the car club was able to spend $6,000, up from last year's $5,500, on this year's fireworks.

"Our goal is to put another $3,000 or $4,000 into next year’s fireworks display in honor of Bentleys 100th (anniversary)," said Park. "And at this point that certainly looks possible. We continue to strive to put on the best show possible, and we're glad people seem to enjoy our efforts."

The club was able to set aside some funding last year too.

Augmenting the car show is the mid-day food concession barbecue of the Bentley District volunteer fire department that runs alongside the show and continues to be well supported.