Bentley’s Show and Shine had been chosen for the theme for this year’s fair, and it did get more entries despite threatening weather earlier.
The 16th annual Kroozin’ West Show and Shine, centred on Railway Avenue and the treed and grassed areas there, saw an increase of almost 25 entries over last year resulting in more than 130 registered vehicles.
“We had a steady stream of spectators as we always do. It’s what makes car guys want to come to our show,” stated Rick Park, Revmasters Car Club spokesman.
“It was another successful show with lots of positive feedback. We are so proud of the support Bentley and area gives us each year, and we want to thank everybody who in any way helps us to make this the event that it is. We would like to thank our volunteers who come early and stay late, and make our show what it is.”
Once again the format was to pick the Top 10 instead of having a variety of distinct categories.
Trophies were once again a special design. This year they were 3-D ceramic wall plaques depicting several collector cars in front of a drive-in movie sign. Placing in the Top 10, in no particular order were: the 1956 Bel Air Convertible of Maryann Brooker from Blackfalds; the 1935 Chev Truck of Tom Christenson from Blackfalds; a 1968 Firebird belonging to Jason Cole of Lacombe; Barry Cunningham’s 1933 Ford from Gull Lake; the 1955 Chev of Don and Sue Daines from Calgary; the 1957 Morris Minor of Ken Davison from Sherwood Park; Penhold’s Bill Larratt’s 1928 Ford Model A; Derrick Peterson’s 1957 Chev from Red Deer; the 1968 GTX convertible of Neil and Sandra Polson from Consort; and Grant Salmon’s 1970 Chevelle from Lacombe.
Voted Best in Show was Neil and Sandra Polson’s 1968 GTX and the Mayor’s Choice was Maryanne Brooker’s 1956 Bel Air.
People’s Choice again was Danny Johnson’s 1969 Road Runner from Bentley, and the Furthest Travelled went to Frances Evans from Altario with his 1957 Chev wagon.
In What Else Ya’ Got (a category for all things other than cars or trucks that includes motorcycles and tractors) the winner was the 1939 John Deere D tractor of Mel Deines from Sylvan Lake.
Both the car show and the Saturday evening fireworks are coordinated by members of the Bentley Revmasters Car Club, with support from the Bentley Ag Society, and rely on lots of help from many volunteers to run the show, many who volunteer over and over each year.
For 2013, due to community, and organization and municipal donations, the club was able to spend $5,500 on the fireworks.
The club has set aside at least $1,000 toward next year’s fireworks and $500 to sponsor an event for Bentley’s 100th anniversary in 2015.
The mid-day food concession of the Bentley volunteer fire department ran alongside the show and augments the popular fair and rodeo event.