Sometimes the mark of a true Jeep lover is in how dirty, cracked and dented their vehicle is and owners had their chance to show those marks off during a Jeep show and shine Sept. 13.
Streets were closed off in the Southwest Industrial Park on Saturday to make way for more than 150 Jeeps for a fun show and shine weekend.
Organizer Stan Schultz of Northridge 4X4 said they wanted a controlled and safe environment for these vehicles that are most often found off-roading in the backcountry.
This wasn’t your ordinary show and shine; prizes were handed out for the Most Gnarly Jeep to the Worst Windshield, explained Schultz. He also organized a slowest race, which had competitors vying for the slowest time on a 300 feet stretch without using breaks.
Schultz said the slowest Jeep there took more than two minutes to complete the track. “Most of us, it’s all about the strongest, slowest, best part,” he explained.
There was no doubt over the Worst Windshield winner; Schultz says the winning Jeep had moss growing in the cracks of the glass.
Once a person gets involved in the Jeep culture, there is no turning back, stated Schultz. He says many of the folks who came to the event have travelled together in other areas of Alberta and the show and shine was a way to visit and talk about recent excursions.
“Dents are not bad things. It’s more a war wound,” he joked.
Raffle tickets brought in some big prizes for attendees and all the money raised went to the Ronald McDonald House in Red Deer. The event brought in almost $3,000 for the charity, said Schultz. Many of the jeep clubs donated their registration money as well.