It’s a spring thaw tradition that turns 25 this year. Boogie in the Badlands is back on Saturday, May 27, hoping for a strong turnout.
The local car club, Valley Cruisers are already busy organizing the show. It is the perfect opportunity to boost the battery, top up fluids and spray the dust off your signature ride and head down and boogie. The show is open to all makes, models and condition. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be your pride.
The show follows up on a wildly successful 2022 show where cars from across the province descend on downtown Drumheller. This year they are prepared to have a better-than-ever show.
“It was a huge show last year. We had about 160 entries,” said Valley Cruisers secretary Shauna Jensen. “It was very good considering it was the first show after COVID and the weather started out cloudy.”
“We’re not Three Hills and we’re not High River, but we are growing, and I think it is amazing,” said Jensen.
On the day of the event, they will have a large portion of downtown set aside for the show from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is already open online. There are all kinds of activities planned, including four bands, vendors, prizes, curated photo opportunities for your ride with professional photographers and a Pin Up contest, hosted by True North Pin Up Magazine.
They have heard from surrounding car clubs that are geared up for the show, and word has spread throughout the province, including a promotion at this year’s World of Wheels.
The event will be bookmarked by opportunities for cruises, on the evening before to Wayne and on Sunday there are opportunities for cruises. It is a great chance to head out to East Coulee for its monthly pancake breakfast.
“We are trying to bring businesses to the downtown core,” said Jensen. “We have people going out today to businesses affected,” adding this is a great opportunity for businesses to take advantage of the attendance to put their best foot forward.
The Valley Cruisers have been growing over the last few years and Jensen says they are not just about the annual car show. The group meets weekly throughout the summer for events and to share knowledge and camaraderie. They organize cruises that take the cars parading into various attractions and even campsites.
“The cruises are hugely successful. Our members love it and we hope we bring some business to some places on Thursday night when they need an extra bump. It’s a lot of fun for us.”
They also organize the annual Mother’s Day and Father’s Day drive-by parades for seniors in the community.
“You don’t have to have a fancy car, you just have to want to support the Moms and Dads in town,” said Jensen.
To learn more or to register for Boogie in the Badlands go to valleycruisers.ca
