Vehicles of all shapes and sizes featured at annual Rev Alaska

PALMER — The Alaska State Fairgrounds were packed with family fun in the form of automobiles Saturday.

Cars, trucks, utility vehicles, remote control cars, motorcycles, and even the tallest Fire truck ladder in the Valley made appearances side by side at the second annual Rev Alaska.

Cars of all shape, size, style, and color were featured alongside family friendly events at the fairgrounds. Short helicopter rides took viewers up above the fun. Utility Races drew the largest crowd as Rev Alaska viewers packed the bleachers behind the Barn to watch modified ATV’s try their luck at the dirt course, spinning and speeding over jumps and sharp turns to the delight of the crowd.

While car shows may often carry a male-dominated atmosphere, Rev Alaska not only mixes all the different auto enthusiast groups together, but provides a space and place for them and their families to recreate.

“I think we recognized that there were all these little groups of enthusiasts and our vision is just to bring it all together and hopefully also help charity out,” said Andrea Everett, Rev Alaska event coordinator.

Cheer groups performed demos for festival patrons. Food trucks lined up to serve hungry car enthusiasts. Vendors from tools to tires to decals lined the purple trail and Raven Hall hoping to connect with their audience.

On a Saturday that saw blistering temperatures, Palmer Fire Chief John McNutt stood under a massive American flag. The ladder stands at 101 feet above the ground, but the flag waved back and forth in the light breeze at about 96 feet.

“We’re here to show off the new aerial apparatus. It’s a chance to get out and show the public what we have available for them should they have a time of emergency,” said McNutt.

McNutt had been answering questions about the biggest piece of equipment at the car show all day, but didn’t have the chance to go and look for himself.

Everett is a fan of the older models. While big engines and high speedometers may be what’s popular in newer model vehicles, Fuller appreciates the work and craftsmanship put into maintaining the older model vehicles.

“Two years ago actually was when he first approached me he was like ‘How about we do a car show?’ “What? Why? I know nothing about vehicles other than I drive it. I don’t even change my own oil. He said ‘no, we can do this. This is my vision.” So I said how are we going to support people? I can get behind something like this and i can spend my time helping if it’s a charity and that’s why I got involved,” said Everett.

Rev Alaska supports Kid’s Cupboard, which helps to feed hungry kids in the summer. Everett, who is a principal during the school year, knows the need of the Valley’s hungry children, and is excited to help support charity with her efforts.

Everett and her friend Leon Reynolds started multiple cheer competitions in the past. Everett’s passion for helping kids led her to put her time and effort into organizing the biggest and best car show in the Valley. Collaborating with all the major car enthusiast groups, people drive out from all around the Valley to come and show off their wheels for a good cause.

This year, Rev Alaska added the UTV races. Despite their sweeping popularity among viewers, it is not the easiest feat to actually race. Insurance fees are high, and they go with the requirements of a five point harness, window nets, etc. which can cost a bundle.

“Utility vehicle races are new. I think they’re popular because they’re fun, probably also because they're dangerous,” said Everett. Those who have risked their safety for Utility Vehicle Race glory, though, offer rousing entertainment to those who are just there to watch.

In only the second year of putting on Rev Alaska, Everett is already seeing more and more people walk through the gates to check out all the cars, and more car enthusiasts interested in participating.

“Anytime you start something new, people are taking a chance on it a lot of our roadblocks have just been convincing people this is something worthwhile investing in and we’re getting more people,” said Everett.

Contact Frontiersman reporter Tim Rockey at tim.rockey@frontiersman.com.