Get ready to rumble: annual car show set for Sunday
Downtown Bigfork will be transformed into a colorful corridor of classic, restored and custom cars Sunday, Sept. 4 when the village hosts the fourth annual Rumble in the Bay car show.
The show will feature a variety of cars and motorcycles, which will be displayed along Grand Drive, Electric Avenue and River Street.
“The cars range from 1911 Oldsmobiles all the way up to NASCAR racecars and everything in between,” said Carl Easton, who helps organize the event.
Last year’s car show drew a field of about 200 vehicles, and Easton is hoping for around 300 participants this year.
Although weather has been a deterrent for some car owners in past years, Easton said the forecast for this year’s Rumble is looking much drier.
“It’s looking like it’s going to be a great day,” Easton said. “We’ve been rained on the last few years, so it would be good to see some sun.”
The event, which is open to all vehicle makes and models, will begin at 9 a.m. Parking spots for cars entered in the show are available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 7 a.m.
Local restaurants and merchants will be open for business, but Easton warned that there will be no parking downtown for show-goers.
“The best place to park is at the school,” Easton said. “We’re also encouraging downtown merchants to not have their employees park downtown. We will be towing vehicles because we have a road closure permit.”
Easton said the show’s quirky awards categories — including Most Elegant, Best Flames and Best Designated Driver — make it fun and unique for both spectators and participants.
“Most car shows have very strict categories, like cleanest engine or most perfect restoration,” Easton said. “So a lot of cars don’t win anything (at other shows). We have some fun categories, and that way people who wouldn’t normally win end up going home with a trophy.”
Like last year, winners will receive custom cast trophies created by local artist Eric Thorsen.
“He’s one heck of an artist,” Easton said. “(This year) he’s making hood ornaments shaped like the flying lady that used to be on old Bentleys.”
In addition to the 35 hood ornaments — all signed and numbered — that will be given to contest winners, Thorsen will have additional ornaments available for purchase at his gallery.
Car show attendees are encouraged to cast their votes for Best of Show, the people’s choice award. Ballots will be available at the information booth on Electric Avenue.
Awards will also be given to car owners sporting the best costumes.
“It’s like a fun costume party,” Easton said. “People dress for the era of their vehicle.”
Other popular features from past shows that will be included again this year are the torque-testing DYNO truck, the poker walk and the poker run.
New this year is a bicycle show and shine contest for kids, which will be held in front of Mountain Mike’s Rental Bikes on Bridge Street.
A post-show barbecue will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Tall Pine Lounge.
Rumble Over the Bay
For the second-straight year, Rumble in the Bay will also feature a Rumble Over the Bay Fly-in Airshow from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ferndale airfield. The event is hosted by the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 102.
Attendees will have a chance to meet several pilots and get an up-close look at their aircraft. More than 100 aircraft and pilots are expected to participate in the event.
Planes on display will include War Birds, floatplanes, general aircraft and the ALERT helicopter.
The planes will also do several fly-overs near downtown Bigfork, so those attending the car show will have an opportunity to see the planes in action.
The event will begin with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. at the airfield. A shuttle bus will transport people between the airfield and Sliter Park about every 30 minutes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event is open to the public, with free airplane rides for children ages 8 to 18 through the EAA Young Eagles Program. Rides will also be provided by Air Therapy Aviation for $20.