Car show cruises to town

MONTROSE — The streets of Montrose will be teeming with unique old and new vehicles this weekend as Black Canyon Classics' 14th-annual Colorful Colorado Car, Truck and Rod Show comes to town.

"It's for any and all car enthusiasts that live in and out of the area," said Frank Kinion, Black Canyon Classics' president.

The weekend will feature town cruises, vendors, awards, a silent auction and door prizes.

Kinion said several sponsors have donated gift certificates, jewelry, tools and a grill from Home Depot to be distributed to lucky winners.

To qualify for some prizes, attendees need only to purchase .25-cent tickets, and drawings will be held at 12, 1 and 2 p.m. on Saturday. The silent auction will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Christ's Kitchen will receive 80 percent of the proceeds from the car show's .25-cent raffle and silent auction. Kinion said the club is fortunate to be able to donate to non-profit organizations each year. During its 14-year spree, 11 or 12 non-profits have benefitted from the funds.

Beginning Friday evening, 80 to 100 cars will line South 1st Street between Townsend Avenue and Park Avenue. Anyone is invited to go look at the cars, which range from a 1916 Ford Model T Roadster to cars as new as 2008.  Black Canyon Classics and local merchants will vote on vehicles for the BCC Choice Award and Merchants Choice Award, both of which will be announced Saturday.

From 6:15 to 7 p.m. on Friday, the car enthusiasts will cruise town visiting all five senior homes so everyone has the opportunity to check out the cars.

Starting as early at 6 a.m. on Saturday, cars of all shapes and sizes will start to take their places at Columbine Middle School. The show will begin at 8 a.m. There is no admissions fee and anyone is welcome to attend. Red tickets will be distributed and entered to win door prizes throughout the morning.

The classes of cars — ranging from street rods and lowriders to trucks and the best of '39 and earlier to '80 and beyond  — will surround several tents for shade and vendors and booths.

The center area will also feature two special displays. Justin Beaver, a super street winner, will display his '65 Nova, and Del Wiesner will show a '33 Willys Gasser tribute car.

At 1 p.m., two $750 scholarships will be awarded to area students, and at 2 p.m., the awards show will begin. Kinion said 72 trophies will be given to car owners. Two awards will be given within each of the 30 car classes (one for winner and one for runner-up), and one award will given in special categories, such as Best GM, Best Ford, Best Chrysler, Lady's Choice, People's Choice, etc.

That evening, people can cruise to Star Drive-In to watch "Ice Age 3" and "Fast and Furious 4."

On the final day of the show, car owners will drive to Ouray for brunch.

"It's a long, hard weekend," Kinion said, "but it's one that's so enjoyable and rewarding to be able to do what we're able to do for the community and, in reverse, what the community has done for us as a car club."

While this car show has yet to begin, BCC officers are already preparing for next year's show by selecting the feature class: 1955-57 Chevrolets. This year's feature class is mopars.

For more information about the show, visit www.blackcanyonclassics.org.