Bigfork and Ferndale to hold annual car and plane shows

Downtown Bigfork and Ferndale Airport will rumble with activity on Sept. 2 with the fifth annual Rumble in the Bay car show on Electric and Grand Ave. and the Rumble Over the Bay plane show at Ferndale Airport.

Last year’s car show had about 300 vehicles, and assuming the weather is good, the numbers should be on par with last year’s total with vintage cars and motorcycles from all over the United States and Canada.

Both festivities begin at 8 a.m. with a fly-in over Bigfork at noon by a WWII Vought-Corsair F4U. Vehicles on display will include everything from 1911 Oldsmobiles, to hot rods, NASCAR racers and vintage and classic motorcycles.

Over 25 trophies will be awarded during the car show. Each trophy was handmade and individually numbered by Bigfork’s Eric Thorsen. Attendees will be able to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award, and awards will also be given in categories such as most elegant and best designated driver.

There will also be a costume contest for all car show participants and a poker walk around Bigfork for all exhibitors and attendees to participate in. For information and an application go to the registration desk during the event. Information and registration forms can also be found at www.RumbleInTheBay.org.

Meanwhile at the Ferndale Airport, Rumble Over the Bay will feature about 25-30 airplanes from different eras, depending on the weather conditions. The fly-in flight path for the planes is set for directly over downtown Bigfork so Rumble in the Bay attendees can see each plane fly over.

Rumble Over the Bay is sponsored by the local Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 102 and will feature homebuilt, vintage, War Birds, floatplanes, and general aviation aircrafts. There will also be static displays of model radio controlled aircrafts and helicopters.

Trophies at Rumble Over the Bay will be awarded for furthest flown, oldest airplane and people’s choice.

Both events are free to the public with a free shuttle service from Sliter’s Park in downtown Bigfork to the parking area on the west side of the Ferndale Airport every half-hour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will also be a pancake breakfast fundraiser at the Ferndale Airport at 8 a.m. for the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 102 and the Young Eagles program. Young Eagles is a local group that takes children ages 8-17 for free flights.

Following the festivities, there will be a barbeque party in the parking lot at the Tall Pines Lounge for all car show participants and enthusiasts, starting at 4:30 p.m.