BURNEY: Custom cars, arts & crafts, and perfect weather at Mountain Cruisers/Rex Club Days car show

BURNEY — Despite rain that threatened to dampen this year’s Mountain Cruisers/Rex Club Days car show, Saturday was the perfect sunny day for classic car owners and enthusiasts alike, who came out in droves to enjoy the day’s activities.

Families who came out for the show – which was sponsored by Mountain Cruisers – were treated to more than 60 classic cars, an arts and crafts fair, numerous concession booths, great local food, and so much more.

“What an absolutely perfect day for this year’s car show,” Tom McGintry later said. The Susanville resident – who drove his 1964 1/2 Mustang to the event – explained that even though his car is a “work in progress,” and wasn’t ready to be entered into this year’s car show, he enjoyed seeing all the classic vehicles that were featured this year.

“Between the hot rods, the food, and the friendly, relaxed atmosphere, this year’s car show could not have been any better,” McGintry enthused.

Hosted by Burney Chamber of Commerce and co-sponsored by the Rex Club and Mt. Burney Coffee Co., this was the annual show’s 26th year, and featured individuals and car club members who brought their vehicles from all over California and beyond.

Redding residents Rick and Karen Alvord were this year’s winners of Best of Show and also won the Rex Club Choice, which included dinner for two at the Rex Club.

The couple, who are members of Shasta Classics Car Club, brought their cherry red, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air to the show and wowed the crowd with the car they spent 10 years working on after they became the vehicle’s newest owners in 1999.

First and second place plaques were also awarded in the Stock, Modified, and Open class categories.

In addition to the car show and concession booths, attendees were treated to a fine arts and crafts fair that featured many local artists.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Burney-Fall River, the fair featured one-of-a-kind fine arts and crafts, such as home-made soaps, pottery, hand-made quilts, hand-crafted jewelry, clothing and more. Sold by the artists who made them, all proceeds of the fair went to local school and library charities.

Jonathan Klaus, who brought his wife and children to the show from Redding, later raved about the event, saying this was the fourth time he had visited the annual car show.

“I’ve been coming up to Burney for their annual show ever since I moved to Redding,” Klaus said. “But this was the first year I brought my family and I’m glad I did. We had a fantastic day.”

Another attendee at this year’s event was Cottonwood resident, Shannon Douglas. Douglas explained she was on her way with a friend to visit Mt. Shasta when they happened upon the bevvy of downtown activity.

Douglas explained that although she had never attended a car show before, “It was almost time for lunch and we were hungry, so we figured we would make a quick stop, get some food, and look around.”

Besides the arts and crafts fair, Douglas said her favorite part of the annual show was seeing “Lady Belle,” a tiny, turquoise and white, 1957 Fireball travel trailer. The trailer, which is available to rent, was brought to the car show by Lil’ Pea Vintage Trailers.

“I just love those little camping trailers,” said Douglas. “My family used to own a similar trailer, and I remember going on many camping and road trips towing it behind our old Wagoneer. Every time I see one now I get all nostalgic for those fun days spent traveling with my parents and sister.”

Asked if she planned on attending next year’s event, Douglas replied, “After seeing everything this year’s show had, I would say definitely yes! I can’t wait.”

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Trevor Montgomery, 46, recently moved to Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations, including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook, as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and The Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.