Photo by Holly Allen – Valley Falls City Councilman Brett Dallman will display his 1926 Durant Star at the first-ever Red, White, and Classic car show in Valley Falls July 5. A burnout pit at the east end of the Broadway bricks will be the headlining event of the show, and will take place at 1 p.m.
by Holly Allen
Let’s be honest, I know there’s a couple of you old-timers dying to relive the days of your misguided youth, running from Police Chief Gordon Bledsoe after doing a smoky burnout on Broadway.
This Saturday, July 5, at an event sanctioned by the Valley Falls City Council and put on by Councilman Brett Dallman, you can do just that — in plain sight of Chief Carrie Clark.
And she promises not to do a thing about it…
“As long as you follow the rules and pass inspection, I’ll be cheering you all on with the rest of them,” she said.
The Burnout Pit on the east end of Broadway will be the centerpiece of Saturday’s inaugural Red, White, and Classic car show. Participants will be asked to adhere to a quick inspection of their vehicle and a few simple rules — 30 second, wheel chalk, stationary burnouts only on wetted historic Broadway bricks on the east end of the town’s main drag.
“You know you want to, and so do I,” said Dallman, when asked about the impetus for this particular classic car show addition.
A requisite waiver and payment of a $20 “pre-fine” will also be asked of those entering in the contest.
Any version of the classic car is invited to attend, according to Dallman, who placed no restrictions on the event based on the year, make, model, or condition of vehicles allowed at the event. “Show us what you’ve got,” he said.
Dallman himself will be there in style — in a 1926 Durant Star which has been in his family for nearly 80 years. According to Dallman, it is the only Model M Star registered in the entire state of Kansas. The car was purchased by a family member in 1942. In the 1970s, it came into his grandfather’s possession, who completed a restoration on the vehicle two decades later. A heavy equipment mechanic for the National Guard, Dallman’s grandfather and grandmother, high school sweethearts in the 1950s, had many classic cars over the years.
Last year, Dallman purchased the Star from his family’s estate after the death of his grandfather. It will serve as the model for the car show’s T-shirt this year, which will also display the names of local sponsors.
Dallman will also be showing off a 1947 Cadillac series 61, a 1966 Pontiac Catalina, and five antique tractors.
The event will be headquartered at City Clerk Destiny Schrick’s cafe, Granny’s Porch, at 405 Broadway, where registration will take place beginning at 8 a.m. Pre-registration is $10 and day-of registration will be $15.
Rainbow Dragon Mobile DJ will be on hand to hype up the crowd.
Eleven trophies will be handed out for the following categories: Granny’s Choice, Best GM, Best Ford, Best Mopar, Best Jeep/Military, Best Orphan (made by a manufacturer no longer in business), Best Hot Rod, Best Truck, Best Original, Oldest, and Best Burnout. These trophies are truly coveted originals, created by local artist Sam Gomez of Man Cave Art, north Topeka.
An additional 15 plaques will be handed out to the judges’ and fan favorites.
The burnout pit will take place at 1 p.m. at the east end of the street, near the Doodlebug Trail. The show will conclude around 2 p.m.
Dallman, who attends several car shows a year, is hoping to have set up the event in such a unique way so as to draw a large crowd to the small town of Valley Falls, similar to what they have been able to do in Holton with their Glory Days car show over Memorial Day weekend.
The town’s annual fireworks show from the ballfields, sponsored by the Valley Falls Chamber of Commerce, will take place the night prior, at 9:30 p.m. on Independence Day.
“I hope folks will stick around for the car show. As far as I can tell, there isn’t anything quite like this around here, and especially not on this date,” he said. “I’m not sure what to expect — I’m hoping the weather’s perfect and we find ourselves maxed out. I envision a lot of folks and a good time for the town and its visitors.”
More information on all of the July 4 and 5 festivities at Valley Falls can be found on page 8 of this edition.