Hot rods and cool rides on display

WASILLA — The MTA Events Center will be the center of the chrome universe in the Valley this weekend as the 49th State Street Rodders usher in spring with a three-day event.

Now in its second year, the “Valley Chrome and Wheels” car show starts today at the MTA Events Center off Kerry Weiland Way in Palmer. Friday hours are from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 until 4.

The event is free, as is parking and a food lineup that includes hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks.

Last year’s inaugural show was a success, and organizers are expecting a bigger and better event for 2016, said Street Rodders’ president John Troutner. Some 75 cars were on display inside the MTA center in 2015, with 100 more outside. Around 3,600 people attended the show.

“We will have 100 plus show cars inside for three days this year, and I anticipate double that in the parking lot,” said Troutner, whose wife Suzanne handles the club’s website. “This is most likely the biggest car show event in Alaska for 2016.”

Troutner said the 100 or so vehicles expected to be on display in the parking lot — “day trippers” as he calls them — come from all over.

“These are folks who may have a little separation anxiety from parking inside and being away from their cars for three days,” Troutner said. “Some are from other clubs, others are independents. Everyone is welcome.”

He said the 2015 success got the word out about this year’s show. The 49th State Street Rodders also host the Hot Summer Nights car show, set for later this summer in downtown Palmer.

“People are talking about this show now,” he said. “Everybody enjoyed it last year. Some of the guys from our club and other clubs who kind of keep track of these things said we should be ready for a larger crowd.”

To that end, Troutner said the food outlay of burgers and hotdogs — all free at the event — went up for this year. The club’s famous grill, often entered as a float in the Colony Days parade in Palmer, will be busy.

“Last year we went through 3,300 dogs and burgers,” Troutner said. “This year we are being told to be ready to feed 6,000.”

A raffle for a Polaris Outlaw 90 all-terrain vehicle also is planned, Troutner said, with all proceeds benefitting Fisher House, a temporary housing facility for military families receiving medical care at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson.

As for the cars, along with the classics like Mustangs, Chevelles, Corvettes and Impalas, Troutner said a red, 1991 Peterbilt semi-tractor will be part of the show as well as

“That thing is going to show a lot of chrome,” he said. “Plus, we are going to have a couple Miatas and some Mini Coopers. The Miata club was surprised we even knew about them.”

Troutner said the club has grown to around 250 members since its inception in 2008, a number that he said reflects the overall community vibe of the group, especially when it comes to volunteering for the shows.

“That’s the great thing about our club, we welcome everybody,” he said. “The members also are always willing to jump in and help where they can. That’s the way we are (with membership.) Everyone is equal. You can drive a $250,000 Lamborghini or a rusted-out Toyota.”

Contact reporter Steven Merritt at 352-2269 or steven.merritt@frontiersman.com