New and vintage vehicles of all shapes and sizes and plenty of talented country artists will be making their way to a rural property north of Irricana this weekend to show-off their unique styles at this year’s car and truck show.
Spanning the weekend of July 21 and 22, the Cars and Country Stars show will be making its way back to northeast Rocky View County for its third year. However, there will be double the fun this time around as it is the first time the show will take place over two days.
Media representative of the show, Sydney Klassen, said the event planners hope everyone has a good time while keeping the energy going from the Calgary Stampede.
“It's after Stampede, so we kind of keep the party going,” Klassen said. “We hope that everyone has a good time and enjoys themselves, enjoys the weather, and enjoys our province.”
Just like the last two years, the show will see several musical artists performing throughout the weekend. Friday will see Julian Austin, Shannon Smith, and Connor James take the stage for the first half of the show. Following them on Saturday will be tribute bands The Long Run, (an Eagles tribute band) as well as Credence Clearwater Reprisal, Double Suede, and Krank'd.
Saturday morning will also see country singer Trevor Panczak performing from 8 to 10 a.m. during a pancake breakfast. Klassen said this is something new they have added to this year’s show.
“We're calling it pancakes with Panzcak,” she said. “That's on Saturday morning, so that people have entertainment while they're having breakfast.”
Being a non-profit event, the show relies on sponsors to help with the costs associated with hosting it. Klassen added several people come together to help bring the show to life each summer.
With such a large event, Klassen said it takes almost a year to plan everything in advance. She noted once this year’s show ends, planning for the next one begins almost immediately.
“One person couldn't make it go, there's a lot of working parts,” she said.
Klassen argued that Cars and Country Stars is unique to similar events because attendees have a better opportunity to get up close and personal with the artists. She added the cost of attending the show is much cheaper, as well.
When asked about the significance of the show and its impact on Irricana, Klassen said it puts a spotlight on the town every summer. She added that people from all over Alberta drive to the region just to see the show, which helps support the town economically.
“It puts us on the map,” Klassen said. “We have people that come down from Edmonton and up from Lethbridge. It brings money into the town; people go eat at the restaurants and they see what beauty is outside of Calgary.”
According to Klassen, registration remains open for anyone wishing to show off their vehicle in this year’s show. Tickets to the show can be purchased at carsandcountrystars.ca or on Showpass and will also be sold at the front gates to the event.
“We'll be selling tickets up until the very day and we will have tickets up at the gate as well for people that just kind of see our signs and pass on by,” Klassen said.
The event is held on a rural property outside of Irricana at 280090 Range Road 262, Rocky View County. Camp sites are available for overnight guests. See more information at the event's website or Facebook page.
