Annual NAPA Auto Parts custom car, cycle show puts a smile on kids of all ages

EAGLE RIVER — The weekend of April 28-30was the 27th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Alaska Custom Car & Cycle Show — indoors outdoors — at the Harry J. McDonald Center in Eagle River.

After 27 years, the show still has thunder in its pipes. With 55 cars and bikes indoors and hundreds outside on display, the weekend was filled the thunderous roars of meticulously maintained engines and the comradery of fellow enthusiasts gleaming like the sparkly paint jobs.

Featured were hot rods, classics, imports, choppers, muscle cars, vintage and other custom labors of love. There were live demonstrations of custom engines that rattled audiences.

Coordinating all of this in a lifestyle he’s known since he was 11, was Derek Snelson. He could be heard overhead making announcements and singing the praises of everyone participating.

“It’s my passion, ” Snelson said.

He consistently stressed the importance of generational knowledge. He talked about the impact he sees around him with youth learning skills to better their lives.

Also featured that weekend was a Pin Up Contest. The participating women dressed in the pinup style in front of cars and answered questions about cars and themselves. The contestants were dressed according to Snelson’s theme of a family oriented atmosphere.

“This a family event. “We don’t sell alcohol here. It’s just a bunch of great people coming together and having fun,” he said.

He noted on the historic presence pin-up culture has on the automotive showmanship community since World War II.

He often referred to his previous mentors such as Tom Irvine and Gene Soules — some of the “Godfathers of Car Shows.” He circled back to his insistent goal for the community’s children to learn life skills, sustain a hard work ethic and learn from the previous generations. It seems nostalgia was hit with a sober reality and by observing Snelson, a bright future.

His young niece, Oliva, shadowed him throughout the day, like his little assistant. Olivia appeared to be happy with her involvement, listening to instruction and asking questions, and of course laughing with her mechanical uncle and a tide of his attending friends, almost like a reunion more than a car show.

Snelson would often say his trademark phrase, “The cars are the stars.”

The cars on display are present by invitation only. According to Snelson, everything on display has proven its worth for the show. The entries must submit their applications according to The International Show Car Association (ISCA) guidelines.

“You have to earn it,” Snelson said.

One of the prizes given out each year is the People’s Choice award. After tallying the votes, the most popular car truck or bike is selected as the crowd favorite. The winner receives a trophy and a prize.

In a close-knit community, events like this tend to stir up excitement for the coming of summer and showing off fancy wheels that were hibernating for the winter.

“It brings people together… It kicks things off – we call it the igniter,” Snelson said.

Snelson thanks the family behind Muffler City, longtime friends of his and the longest running sponsor of his shows- for over 50 years.

“If it wasn’t for them … this wouldn’t be a show at all.”