Get ready to rumble: Annual car show set for Sunday

Residents and visitors alike should get ready to rumble this weekend as the Village hosts its third annual Rumble in the Bay car show.

The event, which is open to all makes and models of cars, is held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5. Downtown Bigfork is essentially closed to vehicle traffic for the day except those that are entered in the event. Traffic directors will be present to point people in the right direction of parking and alternative routes. Any cars left on Grand Drive and Electric Avenue down to the bridge will be towed to the Flathead Bank parking lot starting at 5 a.m.

Spots for those cars entered in the show are on a first come, first served basis starting at 7 a.m. All need to be in place by 9 a.m. The motorcycles, new this year, will line up along River Street. If the weather is good, the show could bring out more than 300 cars. Local restaurants will be open for business.

"We have vehicles of all eras and all flavors," said Carl Easton, one of the organizers of the event. "There's something there for everyone."

Cars and bikes will be given colored dots and every hour on the hour a different color will be called on to "rumble." Live music will be provided by Lookin' Back in front of the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts. Speakers will be set up throughout the Village for the music and announcements.

"We rock the whole town," Easton said.

New this year are custom cast trophies created by local artist Eric Thorsen for the winners in a variety of sponsored categories. A people's choice award will also be selected by attendees of the event. Ballots will be available at the information booth in front of the Bigfork Museum of Art and History. There is also an award based on costumes. Car owners are encouraged to dress to represent their car or its era.

Other events of the day include a poker walk. Seven stores will participate in a poker walk from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those interested can pick up a map of locations at the information booth. At each stop, they can pick up cards to make a hand. The best hand will win a prize.

Car owners themselves have an opportunity for a few car-related activities. Photographs of them in their car with the Bigfork Bay in the background will be offered along the way to line up Sunday morning. A DYNO machine will be set up near Brookies Cookies where owners can test their cars' torque. Cars can still be entered the day of the event. Cost is $15.

To find out more, visit www.rumbleintheybaycarshow.com.

RUMBLE OVER THE BAY

For the first time, Labor Day weekend's Rumble in the Bay car show will also feature a Rumble Over the Bay Fly-in at the Ferndale Airfield Airport.

The events are being held in conjunction with each other Sunday.

"We've wanted to do a fly-in," said Ry Keller, a Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce board member and president of the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 102, which is hosting the airplane portion of the day. "By pairing them together we thought we could generate a little more interest for both events."

Fly-ins are held at airports and strips throughout the Valley often, so this event is not necessarily new. It has been a few years since one has taken place in Ferndale.

"I hope to get 30 to 50 lanes out," Keller said. "It depends on the weather."

Fly-ins are events both for pilots and the community.

"It's a chance to get up close and look at planes and meet pilots," he said. "You get to look at some really neat planes you don't usually get to see."

On Sunday, these planes will fly over downtown Bigfork, so those who are out at the car show can get a glance. After a noon playing of the National Anthem, a T-6 Texan, a single engine aircraft associated with World War II, will fly over.

Most planes will fly in between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. and will start to fly out at noon. The event will be wrapped up by 3 p.m., so those who wish to look at the planes should plan to come out early.

The planes will be lined up along the runway. Public parking lots will be available.

Planes expected on Sunday include a 1928 TravelAir and a 1929 Curtiss Robin.

"You just never know what's going to show up," Keller said.

The event Sunday will also involve a display of radio-controlled, big model airplanes and helicopters as well as trophies for people's choice, oldest plane and traveling the farthest.

As is typical of fly-ins, it includes breakfast, which is free for pilots and a $5 donation for community members at the airfield.

The local Experimental Aircraft Association chapter has about 65 members, Keller said.

Much of the association is based on experimental aircraft, or airplanes that are built by members, but it also welcomes antique and other unique planes.

"It's all general aviation activities and all types of aircraft," Keller said.

The Flathead chapter was formed in 1961 and members meet once a month to share and learn techniques and see what other members are up to.

It's part of the larger National Experimental Aircraft Association, which has more than 1,000 chapters worldwide.

The aim is to keep this year's fly-in simple to see how it's received. If all goes well, the plan is to make it an annual event and add more activities each year.

A shuttle bus will be provided between the airfield and Sliter Park about every 30 minutes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"Planes, 250 classic cars, 30 to 40 motorcycles and you get to take it all in. It's a pretty cool deal," Keller said.