Staff
Not only was the sun shining on Scott Street on Saturday, but so were more than 60 cars on display during the International Early Iron Car Club’s 12th-annual “Show and Shine.”
“We were very pleased with the turnout,” enthused Al Smith.
He said the event saw 67 cars take part from across the region—from local participants to ones from as far away as Kenora, Dryden, and Sioux Lookout.
“The weather was perfect—you couldn’t have asked for a better day—and there was lots going on,” Smith added.
“It was a really good day.”
In addition to the lineup of cars, there also were mini cars on display by Fort Frances High School, model car racing by Bethel Baptist Church and the Light Keepers program, and an appearance by the Boundary Waters Dragon Boat Club mascot.
There even was a poker run that people could take part in by visiting six downtown businesses.
“It was a last-minute thing,” Smith noted, though adding it went over very well.
The club didn’t ask anything of the businesses except having an employee available to stamp the sheets and provided the prizes.
“We’d really like to work with the BIA and get more businesses involved,” Smith said.
There also were plenty of trophies and prizes up for grabs Saturday.
The trophies were made by the automotive class at Fort High, as they’ve done the past few years.
“We give them free membership to the club,” Smith explained, noting they want to encourage the younger generation to keep it going.
The club even sponsors two $200 bursaries (one in Fort Frances and one in International Falls) for a graduating high school student going into the trades.
Smith added the club has a busy season ahead with plenty of events on the horizon, including in Baudette and International Falls.
The club also participates in a number of parades at communities across the Rainy River Valley.
The winners at this year’s “Show and Shine” included:
•People’s Choice—Laurel Halvorsen of Fort Frances (1955 Thunderbird convertible);
•Best GM product—Darren and Karen Borger of Barwick (1937 Chevy pickup);
•Best Ford—Fred Laverdure of Fort Frances (1954 Mercury M100 half-ton pickup);
•Best Mopar—Jay Burnett of Fort Frances (1969 Dodge Super V6 pack);
•Best Rat Rod—Paul Scholler of International Falls (1933 Plymouth Coupe);
•Best Paint—Don Manty of Fort Frances (1954 Chevy 210 four-door sedan);
•Best Overall (participants’ choice)—Bart and Sandy Mason of Dryden (1932 Desoto four-door); and
•Poker run—Pat Gray of International Falls (four aces)
