Midnight Sun Car Show

by Nancy DeWitt

Although we call our big biennial event the Midnight Sun Cruise-In, the mid-day sun stole the show in Fairbanks on June 23. What a glorious day for a car show! The beautiful grounds at Wedgewood Resort made for a perfect venue to display and admire the vehicles, and for their owners to set up chairs and tents on the lawns. Many thanks to all who brought cars, especially those traveling here from Anchorage, Wasilla and other points south.


Despite what we consider a hot day for Fairbanks (82º F), thousands of people turned out to see the cars, ride in the hay wagon and see our steam and electric car demos. Alas, the Stanley Steamer didn't cooperate but the electric cars were a hit. Perhaps the biggest draw of all was Fred Keller & Judy Foster's Radio Flyer wagon-car, pictured here as they headed out on one of two tours during the Cruise-In.

The People's Choice Award winners were:

Best 1950s - 1955 Cadillac Coupe DeVille (Cindy Helms). Runner up - 1955 Plymouth Belvedere (Scott & Linda Grundy)

Best Vintage - 1936 Packard 120B Coupe (Rod & Birgit Benson). Runner-up - 1930 Willy-Knight 66B (Scott & Donna Culbertson)

Best Classic - 1961 Chevy Impala (Chad Young). Runner-up - 1973 Dodge Challenger (Bret & Cindy Helms)

Best Hot Rod - 1934 Ford Cabriolet (Al & Ruth Haynes). Runner-up - 1949 Buick Super (K.B. Bettisworth)

Best Misc - Radio Flyer Wagon (Fred Keller & Judy Foster). Runner-up - 1942 Dodge W-53 Carryall (Cary & Ruth Meier)

Best Motorcycle - 1979 Harley-Davidson Chopper (Brent Helms). Runner-up - 1977 Honda CB75OF (Art Casserberg & Marijo Beaird)

If we had given out a "Best Rumbledog" award, this one would have gotten my vote. Kudos to the Vernon L. Nash Antique Car Club for putting on such a fine show, and for all the docents who helped with the scavenger hunt and record-breaking crowd inside the museum that day.

For more photos from the Cruise-In, click here.