INNISFAIL – For six hours recently, the entire downtown core of Innisfail was filled with thousands of people driven by the sight of the most valued vintage cars, trucks, motorcycles.
And when it was all over 16 car-crazy enthusiasts took home the coolest homemade trophies.
They were created by Russ Klemmer, secretary of the 2025 Innisfail Kinsmen Car Show held on Aug. 24, and he was rightly mighty proud of his handiwork.
“A few years ago, a client of mine from work donated some Douglas fir and I made trophies, and then over the years, I've kind of spread out and bought some exotic woods that built on the tradition of the trophies,” said Klemmer, whose added exotic woods include ash, maple and hackberry.
And that’s just for the base.
The top parts, donated by Innisfail’s Specialty Automotive Repairs, are designed with pistons and connecting rods from different engines sizes.
“Some of them have valves from engines that have broken down,” said Klemmer, whose unique handiwork for the car show, which included gluing, cutting and sanding, took him a total of 10 to 15 hours to complete. “You can do them as a group.”
At 2:30 p.m. on what was a welcome marvelous Sunday afternoon, the 2025 car show’s 16 trophy winners were announced.
“They are absolute heirlooms. They’re beautiful. They're the nicest trophies of any car show,” said event chair Alistair Loughlin.
“The whole car culture is huge. People love cars and the day we have. There are a lot of people who look forward to it all year,” he added. “We've got cars from Calgary, Edmonton, and Leduc, from all over.”
The 2025 Innisfail Kinsmen Car Show, which ran from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., had 289 registered cars, trucks and motorcycles on display for the show, which was about on par with past years.
However, this year’s event was decidedly more than just about hot cars.
There was a Scavenger Hunt for kids, and 30 vendors packed in the now huge vacant historical block lot at the southwest corner of Bankers Corner.
“We've never had more than three or four vendors before,” said Loughlin.
“Having the car show downtown for the last six years has really made a big difference for the car show,” said Loughlin. “None of this would happen if it wasn't for all our major sponsors that donate to the Innisfail kinsmen club.”
This year’s 16 winners for the 2025 Innisfail Kinsmen car Show are:
• Innisfail Kinsmen - People's Choice – 1928 Ford pick-up – Paul Black,
• Innisfail Kinettes - Favourite Custom Truck – 1955 Ford F-100 – Aaron McCan,
• Bumper to Bumper - Favourite Car 1950-1980 – 1967 Chev Camaro – Colin Stangness,
• Innisfail Chrysler- Favourite Truck 1950-1980 – 1969 GMC C10 – Dave Popovitch,
• OK Tire - - Favourite Custom Car – 1950 Ford – Wayne Lovell,
• Stickit Vinyl - Favorite Motorcycle – 1942 Harley Davidson WLC – Doug McKenzie,
• Sunny 94 – Favourite Antique Pre-1950 – 1947 Mercury Convertible – Dwayne Tester,
• Little Jons’ – Favourite Rat Rod – 1933 Pontiac Rat Rod – Daryll Desouza,
• Quality Car Company – Favourite Original Truck – 1941 Chev pick-up – Lester Dahl,
• Palliser Chevrolet – Favourite Original Car – 1958 Pontiac Bonnyville – Mevin Phiderney,
• ATB Financial – Favourite Car 1980 – Current – 2010 Chev Corvette – Mrs. Eiler,
• Innisfail Auction Mart – Most Deserving – 1980 GMC Sierra Classic – Lorne Wagers,
• Howell's Excavating – Favourite Heavy Duty Truck – 1966 Chev C50 – Mike O’Dwyer,
• Specialty Automotive Repairs – Favourite Engine – 1967 Chev C10 - Colin Stangness,
• Paul's NOFRILLS – Favourite Truck 1980-current – 1982 Chev Silverado – Willie Peterson,
• Bristow Projects Inc – Favourite Daily Driven – 1972 Chev C10 – Mark Daines.
