In one of the pinnacle annual events during the summer in Rocky Mountain House, the Western Wheels Auto Club will once again be hosting its Hooked On Classics Car Show on July 27.

Organizers say last year’s show saw around 118 cars, but this year, its making room for more.

To accommodate more entrants, organizers say the 2024 show will be taking over a larger stretch of Main St. from 51 Ave. all the way to the bottom of the hill. That’s one extra block in length compared to the 2023 show.

Andy Smith, president of the Western Wheels Auto Club says if you have a ride and want to show it off, just show up.

“There’s no pre-registry. You just show up and pick a spot,” says Smith. “It’s open to anybody; not just classic cars, it’s open to all cars.”

An example of the variety of cars scheduled to attend includes a Model-A Ford club from Calgary, says Smith.

Smith adds registration is $20 which will help cover the cost of the event, as well as support charities.

The Western Wheels Auto Club has donated around $30,000 to charities over the last decade, Smith estimates, with a few of the beneficiaries including the ROAR Society and the Mountain Rose Centre.

Every entrant will receive a special goody bag full of automotive-themed memorabilia such as sponges, keychains, pins, tire gauges, flashlights and air fresheners.

Along with the cars, Smith says the event will feature door prizes, a silent auction and food vendors.

Visitors need not only admire the cars, but they can vote for their favorite, says Smith, as voting for the ‘People’s Choice Award’ will be ongoing throughout the event. Ballots for People’s Choice can be picked up for free at the registration desk.

Additional prizes will be handed out for ‘Longest Distance’ going to the participants who came from furthest away, ‘Hard Luck Award’, ‘Young Guns Award’ among others awarded by fellow entrants.

The event will also feature the Man Van.

Ran by the Canadian Prostate Cancer Centre, the Man Van has been crisscrossing Alberta all summer long, showing up at events frequented by men. Smith says the Man Van offers free, early-detection services for prostate cancer and other health issues with a simple, on-site blood test.

At last year’s show, Smith says the Man Van did 44 checks, and found one positive.

Organizers say other years have seen participants come from as far away as Manitoba.

Even for friends or spouses who aren’t the biggest car enthusiasts, there’s plenty to bring them downtown, says Western Wheels Auto Club social media manager, Michelle Jolliffe. That includes shopping at nearby Main St. businesses and checking out the Town & County Farmers market which runs around the same time.

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During the show, organizers say there will be road closures around Main St. at the intersections of 50 and 49 Avenues.

There will be plenty of parking on other streets around downtown, says Smith, as he’s never heard any complaints about lack of parking.

Registration starts at 10 a.m., with the show running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Organizers say The Western Wheels Auto Club has a busy summer of events with additional cruises to Nordegg, the Cow Lake Store, and at its weekly meet-up at the South Tim Hortons in Rocky Mountain House.

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