Classic car show rolling to Trent
Holland Sallang thinks of himself as a Car Guy.
“I do,” the manager of the East Trent Dairy Queen says. “But I have kids now and I like to say that I’ve invested in my last hot rod. She’s (daughter, not car) 6 months old now.”
But that hasn’t stopped Sallang from admiring the classics: Chevys, Pontiacs, the occasional Studebaker.
So when the Inland Northwest Car Club’s annual show lost its host site at Tidyman’s, Sallang gave them a call and invited them to hang out at his 8843 E. Trent Ave. drive-in – pretty much the way the original owners did way back in the day.
“I figured that if I couldn’t own one I could at least get these folks to come by here so I could see them,” he said with a laugh.
The result will come next Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., when the INCC will hold its annual car show in the parking lot Dairy Queen shares with Albertsons.
“We’ve all gotten into this together,” Sallang said. “Us, Albertsons, Great Clips and Hollywood Video – we all got involved. Most importantly, this whole thing will benefit the Second Harvest Food Drive.
“This our first-annual deal – we’re looking forward to doing this every year from now on. In addition, we get some classic cars coming by here every Thursday night. It’s a great deal.”
Entrants will pay either a $10 entry fee or a $5 fee combined with five cans of food.
Visitors, in addition to showering the collection of classic cars with appreciation, will be asked to contribute to the drive by donating cash or canned food.
“More importantly, every other Dairy Queen in town has gotten involved,” Sallang said. “They will have bins out there to collect food donations at every location starting Friday (June 8 through June 12).
“Albertsons will have some donation bags available so you can actually buy a $5 or a $10 bag of food all ready to donate.”
There will be a live broadcast by an oldies radio station from 10 a.m. until noon (guaranteed to play a long selection of classic car songs), as well as prize giveaways
The manager does admit that he has one special wish for the show.
“My favorite car is the 1969 RSS Camaro, so I’m hoping that someone will bring one in,” Sallang said. “We’ve got the Model T club involved, and they have some gorgeous cars. We’re hoping to get some of the custom choppers here for motorcycle fans. I’d love to see some folks from the Mustang clubs here, too.
“Mostly, though, I just hope that we get a ton of food donated and everyone comes by and has a ton of fun. My goal is to have at least 80 classic cars here.”