One of the things to do, when as a media person covering a first time event, is to get there early to see how many people show up, which can tell a little about how popular or not so popular this new event might end up. If what I saw is any indication May 16, then this show will go on to be one of the must go to shows of the car show season each year!

And why not, it is often said that there are just some things in life that are often wrapped up into location, location, location, and for the American Legion and VFW to have selected the Park County Fairgrounds as their annual location I think they have a winner on their hands.  There is more than enough ample room for this event to grow, that's for sure!

The check in time for the cars and bikes was listed as 10 a.m., I arrived around 8:30 a.m. and the line was backed up already.  I squeezed in and got a parking spot where I could sit and watch the cars and bikes coming  to check in. At the same time, this also allows me to select a prominent car or  two with that top shelf look.  The line of cars checking in remained very steady with some still checking in near 1 p.m.  One of the last totals I saw was a whopping some 60 cars and bikes, a very nice amount for a beginning show. 

Besides the cars and bikes there were plenty of other things to see and do, as the Boy  Scouts and Girl Scouts were in the house, there was a huge barbecue grill grilling up burgers and dogs, while there was also a pretty good sized tent that allowed you to sit and relax out of the sun or sit and eat your food; there were other vendors as well.

The bikes were lined up near the American Legion giveaway Harley, and if you felt lucky you could buy raffle tickets to win the bike  when the winning ticket gets pulled.  

The cars were the show, and they were lined up in the grass, which started as two full rows but eventually a third row had to be added for the last few cars that showed up!  

One of the things I have noted living here in Wyoming is that while I have been to and covered car shows all over the country, since moving here it is apparent that there is a love of pickup trucks that one doesn't see when attending car shows in the Midwest or the East Coast! Oh you might see a truck or two in those other locations but here in the West trucks are very much considered a full on part of any show you attend! There were some nice ones entered here.

The highlight of this show was, for me at least, the 1940 Lincoln Zephyr owned by Jack Klein of Powell. This car is complete with the V-12 engine putting out 110 HP and has a three speed automatic transmission along with suicide doors and extremely comfortable seats. It's just plain an awesome car!

As far as pickups, the two tone brown 1941 pickup of Chuck Birky was my pick for the trucks. Sadly I never found out where he is from, nor could we find him but the truck was another over-the-top, well-done vehicle. Maybe he will show up at the University Show in July?

As for the bikes, the one that caught my eye was the Harley of Keenan Zeilor, who had driven down from Billings with several other riders to attend this show. I just loved the reddish stripes on his Harley Street Glide.  

A disappointment to me was the advertised car parts vendors who did not show, but maybe in time that will change. A plus for me, as a guy who spent my life going to and shooting drag racing for a living, is the fact I seem to be seeing more full on drag cars displaying at car shows when they aren't at a drag race.  

I really feel this show will be more popular as time goes on. Now that this show has had it's  first event, it should build on that year after year!