One of Okotoks' most popular summer events is returning in August.
The 2021 Okotoks Show & Shine, taking place Aug. 22, is set to be larger than ever.
“We’ve had great support from the community and our sponsors to make it happen,” said Blair Davies, chair of the event and Okotoks Kinsmen vice-president. “It’s a great event that raises money for local charities in the community.”
In 2019 when the event last ran, 465 registered cars were on display at the event, with the additional cars brought in by sponsors bringing the total closer to 500, Davies said.
Adding to the already extravagant lineup of hot wheels that typically graces Okotoks' main drag will be Fish Racing, owned by Jeffrey Fiaschetti who opted to be one of the sponsors of the event.
“One of the first things we did when some of the COVID rules were lifted was see what events we wanted to do and started talking to people,” Fiaschetti said.
“(Blair) came back and we started talking through it. He came through and got us a really nice spot."
The drag racing outfit will be a focal point, presenting a lineup of Fiaschetti’s painstakingly restored and maintained classic cars, including his '64 Nova Outlaw 632 drag racer, and a customized double-decker transport trailer with mobile shop.
“The coolest part of doing any show is really capturing attention,” he said.
“People have different tastes on all levels… so really it attracts many different crowds.”
Fiaschetti’s own humble beginnings started with the purchase of a ‘72 Dodge Demon 340 at the age of 15, which he eventually sold to go to university.
“I told myself if I ever had the opportunity to get another car like it, I would,” he said, pointing out he had since added one back to his collection.
“From there it was a passion for drag racing—any kind of racing really, but drag racing was and still is number one for me.”
Originally running his racing on the side in the corner of his workplace safety and fall protection company's fabrication shop, Fiaschetti eventually sold the business and moved Fish Racing to a larger dedicated garage in the Foothills area to focus on full time.
“Racing back then wasn't full time because I had to run the business, but when it was sold, I had a lot of free time on my hand to do things I haven’t been able to do,” he said.
While he’s gotten back behind the wheel and will be refreshing his racing licence, Fiaschetti is fuelled by the pleasure of gathering and celebrating the sport.
“I don’t really have that competitive nature, I just want to go and have fun,” he said. “It’s more of a social gathering, bringing people together, bringing all this stuff out and having barbecues.”
Okotoks Show and Shine organizers and Kinsmen Keith Gray (left) and Blair Davies on either side of Fish Racing owner Jeffrey Fiaschetti, who is sponsoring the event and will be displaying a host of his racing outfit's vehicles, on Aug. 22. By Brent Calver/OkotoksTODAYKeith Gray, one of the event’s founders, is happy to see the event return.
“I’m looking forward to it. After last year, we were cooped up, we didn’t get to do anything,” Gray said. “This year, everything’s wide open, we’re going to do our thing, show what we’ve done.”
As co-owner of Brown and Gray Kustoms, the biggest draw for Gray is the opportunity to mingle and exchange ideas with other enthusiasts.
“What I love about it is I go to the shows and get ideas for my own projects or customers’ projects,” he said. “It’s about creativity. You can put it all together. build something that's totally unique.
He pointed out the show drew approximately 20,000 people in 2019.
“The show's become one of the most memorable or favourite shows in Alberta and we have people phoning us from everywhere about it,” he said.
While the event occupied Elizabeth, McRae, and North Railway Streets from Northridge Drive to the Lineham Avenue railway crossing in past years, Davies said the Town of Okotoks granted the additional space of McRae Street from the Olde Towne Plaza to Alberta Avenue (by the courthouse).
Organizers will also be accepting donations to the Okotoks Food Bank Association at the event.
The show runs Aug. 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with sponsor and vendor registration from 6-8 a.m. and participant registration at 8 a.m.
Two other events take place the day before.
The Burn Out contest takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 21 off Southbank Road near the Best Western Hotel, with registration at 11 a.m.
The Poker Rally also takes place Aug. 21, starting at 1/4 Mile Car Wash and finishing at The George Public House, with registration opening at 3 p.m. and the event starting at 4 p.m.
For more information visit OkotoksShowandShine.ca
