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Home > Archive > Mar 20, 2008

Easter Car Show Just Around the Corner
By Bill brown
The Hurricane Valley Rotary Club is hosting the 23rd annual Easter Car Show, March 21 and 22, at the Hurricane High School ballfields. Last year, the car show had about 300 entrants, making it one of the largest car shows in Southern Utah, Tricia Michler, committee chair for the car show, said.
“This year we are expecting about the same number of entrants,” Michler said. “We had about 12,000 visitors last year as well, and we are expecting similar numbers again this year.” She added many people plan the car show right into their Easter weekend.
“I think having it Easter weekend, people plan on it,” Michler said. “They make it their family Easter activity.”
The festivities kick off Friday, March 21, with a Rod Run for those entering vehicles in the show.  The winner of the run wins a $250 pot, Michler said. The run will visit various businesses throughout the Hurricane Valley, she said.  People can sit out between about 5 and 6 p.m. and watch the cars as they do the run, Michler said.
The car show officially starts Saturday, with registration and “driving-in” starting from 6 a.m. until the judging starts, according to the Easter Car Show poster.  The show opens to the public at 9 a.m. At 10, the judging starts. Also at 10 a.m., the annual tradition of engine revving starts. All the participants turn on their engines, and rev them at the same time, Michler said.
“(Last year) I didn't realize what time it was,” Michler said. “I was in the middle of all the cars, and they all started up their motors. It took me by surprise, and I thought, 'Oh my gosh, what is going on?'” Derral Eves, one of the organizers from last year said the sound was impressive, with 300 hot rods all revving their motors at the same time. The sound was echoing off the valley walls, and could be heard for miles, he said.
According to the poster, cars are judged in many categories. A few of these categories include categories for 1930 Stock and Custom, 1940 Stock and Custom, 1950 Stock and Custom, up through 1970 Stock and Custom. Additional categories include Best Corvette, Best Camero, Best Mustang, Best T-Bird, Best Muscle Car, Best 4x4, and many more. Finally, there are the top award winners, Best of Show, and Rodder's Choice. Over $1000 in prize money will be awarded, according to the poster.
The Rotary Club is brining in a DJ to play music for the show, Michler said. She added he will play mostly oldies and classic rock during the car show.  He will also be giving out door prizes throughout the day. 
At 4 p.m. Michler said, the awards ceremony will be held, with the winners being awarded their trophies.  Also at that time, the club will give away a classic car to some lucky individual, for the second year in a row.  The car, a 1965 Mustang is in excellent condition, Michler said.
“We had it valued at $25,000,” Michler said. “American Car Care has put a lot of work into fixing it up, making sure it is 'cherried out.' Coral Canyon will be doing the drawing for the car.” She added in order to win the car, ticket holders need to be 18 or older, and they must be present to win.
Vendors at the show range from participants bringing examples of their work, to non-profit organizations, from the Boy Scouts, to Bikers Against Child Abuse, selling food, t-shirts, and various other items, Michler said. In years past, the Utah Army National Guard has brought out their rock climbing wall, and Re-Max gave short rides in their hot air balloon, just to add to the fun of the car show, she said.  
Michler said the Hurricane Valley Rotary Club took over the car show about 10 years ago, and it has become their main fund raiser since that time. The proceeds from the car show are put right back into the Hurricane Valley community, she said. Some of the ways the money comes back to the community include 5 scholarships, a non-denominational scout troop, a fund for eyeglasses for middle schoolers, and many other projects in the community, Michler said.
Michler, who also serves as the secretary for the club, said the Rotary club is made up of business men and women throughout the Hurricane Valley.  She said there is a large variety of people involved in the club, but the one thing they all have in common is their desire to make a difference.
The Hurricane Valley Rotary Club Easter Car Show runs March 21 and 22. Price of admission is $5 per person, with children under 6 getting in free.  Tickets to win the Mustang are $5 each, and the contest can be entered as many times as you like. Mustang ticket holders must be present at the time of drawing to win. The car show will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the awards ceremony starting at 4 p.m.  For more information, contact the Hurricane Valley Rotary Club at 1-866-367-2817, or visit the Web site www.eastercarshow.com.

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