Hiwassee Dam – One may have thought thunder was rolling in over Fields of the Wood on June 11, but the noise was actually 100-plus vehicles of all makes and models cruising in for the second annual Import vs. Domestic Car Show hosted by Calvary Cars.
Drivers proudly honked horns and revved engines turning the heads of car enthusiasts and novices alike from 2-5 p.m. The pet-friendly, family event offered an opportunity for drivers of hot rods and classic cars to gather, talk shop and flex their auto muscles in hopes of winning a trophy.
The Ranger Volunteer Fire Department pulled in to the car show briefly; not to enter their rig in the show, but to simply check it out.
There were also snack, food and craft vendors on site for everyone to enjoy. Folks were also checking out the faith-based theme park while Christian music played in the background.
Categories included Kids’ Choice, Best Import, Best American Muscle, Wildest Ride and Most Likely to Outrun Cops. There were also trophies for first, second and third places.
One truck was so high some folks would most likely need the help of a step ladder to get in. The horn, similar to that of a train, was a bit frightening when it beeped while standing nearby.
Kids were running and dogs were tail-wagging, while others were “oohing” and “awing” over each vehicle. Some car owners were reminding children to be careful and not touch anything, as they found themselves repeatedly wiping away fingerprints from their shiny chrome bumpers.
Stephen Warf of Etowah, Tenn., got his son Noah into car shows by allowing the teenager to design the vehicle any way he wanted to – but there was a catch.
“I told him that if he would stay off of phones, tablets and computers while we were at car shows, he could do what he wanted with the car,” dad said.
Noah Warf designed a Star Wars wrap for the 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe turbo when he was just 12. He’s 15 years old now and happy to display the vehicle with a custom wrap, hood props and full racing suspension change.
His display wouldn’t be complete without two 4-foot-tall Star Wars statues, one on each side of the car, as well as a themed rug and flag on a pole. When asked why he chose that theme, Noah said with excitement, “I love the theme of space, and the science and action that goes in to it all.”
Wayne Johnson of Marble started doing car shows in 1972. He brought his 1940 Chevrolet Special Deluxe out to be admired but has six other cars. When asked what his dream car would be, he said, “Oh, there’s too many to say for my dream car. I love them all, and they’re all beautiful.”
The happy winners of the day were Tyke Prince with his 1966 Ford Mustang in the Kids’ Choice category, Lance Garrison won for Best Import with his 1991 Toyota Soarer, Best American Muscle went to Sam Webb for his 1972 Maverick, the Wildest Ride was awarded to Pete Van Rossum for a colorful 1964 VW Bus and Most Likely to Outrun the Cops went to the owners of a 2016 Mustang GT, Adam and Leslie Segal.
First place went to Cindy Prince for her 1964 Chevy Nova, with second place going to Jeff Trull who owns a 1969 Ford Mustang and third place going to a proud Devin Prince with a 2011 Rousch Ford Mustang.