4 minute read
Jam-Packed Day for Dads
Jam-Packed Day for Dads
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
The immaculately kept classic vehicles served as an analogy for the way fathers care for their families, and the demolition derby, Youth Power Wheels, and Burnout activities showed the determined side of dads at the Father’s Day Event which drew over 6000 people to Vegreville Agricultural Grounds on June 15.
While there, children expressed why they appreciated their father. Dianco Rust said his father Jadam was special because he could fix almost anything. “I like to work with him on cars and bikes.” Maylin Rust said her dad is great because he cares a lot for people. Marius Joubert from Mundare was with his three daughters where they said their father is a good mechanic. He is from South Africa and can speak English and Afrikaans. “He takes good care of us, and we do a lot of fun activities together.”
The event was organized by the Iron Runners Club of Vegreville and Vegreville Agricultural Society, with Veg Auto and Industrial Supply Ltd being the major sponsor. The first sight upon entering the grounds was the Show and Shine, where vintage and classic vehicles that owners restored, upgraded, and made shine were showcased
Coordinator Bill Smolak said there were vehicles from the pre ‘50s to 2000s and up. Vehicles ranged from convertibles to muscle cars, hot rods, rat rods, to special interests. There were around 150 vehicles of all ages and types. “The objective is to preserve vintage vehicles as well as collector vehicles and to increase the public’s knowledge and interest in these vehicles. We also want to make the various levels of government aware of the size and value of the collector car industry.” Smolak added.
Participant Dan Fisher from Vegreville was showcasing his 1973 Open Model Gran Turismo which he owned since 2020, and the car was kept all original, right from 1973. “I had one of these vehicles when I was 17 and I wanted one again.”
Robert Duff from Elk Point was showing a 1963 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk which he bought in 1983 and then had restored back to its original form four years ago.
At noon, the heat was on when the Grant Miller Motors demolition derby zoomed in with the of revving of engines and drivers being determined to ram vehicles into each other, where the goal was to wreck the opponent’s vehicle. New this year were RVs at the derby. Then the excitement continued with the Power Wheels derby and burnout competition. Derby organizer, Wesley Antonchuk shared that they had contestants with approximately 12 cars, six trucks, and five RVs in the derby. He hosted this event primarily for the children. “It’s something they look forward to every year. Seeing their excitement and joy makes all the effort worthwhile. We believe the derby draws so much attention because, simply put, the Vegreville Ag Society puts on one heck of a show. It’s high-energy, family-friendly entertainment that brings the whole community together. I'm the one who organized getting the blocks for the arena for safety. I'm also the one who has put together the Power Wheels event for the children. I own and organize all the Power Wheels in it, along with the tires for the arena, for safety. I also came up with the RV idea in Vegreville and came up with the smoke show in Vegreville.”
In closing, Antonchuk said he has been involved every year since he was 15 years old, and now, he is 46.
There was also the ever-popular Model Train Display and a Mini-Trade Show at Vegreville Multi-Plex Centre. Coordinator of Mini-Trade Show Jennifer Hladilo said there were 21 vendors inside, as well as three Model Train displays, and nine vendor tents outside. “There were activities for not only the dads... but for everyone!
All the activities at this special one-day event enhance each other! People might come to see one thing but end up staying the whole day!” Hladilo added.
