Doug and Sandy Ramaker prepare their 1957 Chevrolet before the start of the Valley of Fire Car Show. The Ramakers won a first place award for their vehicle.

By Mike Donahue

Moapa Valley Progress

With the natural magnificence of fiery majestic sandstone formations as a backdrop, the Nevada Parks Department held the Second Annual Valley of Fire Car Show last Saturday. The show attracted drivers and cars, which were at least 30 years old, from as far away as California and Utah.

“We held the first show last year as part of the 75th anniversary celebration of the Valley of Fire park and it was such a hit we’re going to try and make it an annual event,” said Amber Heman, park ranger in charge of the show. “We moved it from March in 2010 to April this year so the weather would be warmer and it looks like we got a perfect day.”

Anyone with a pre-1985 car was encouraged to enter the show. Unfortunately the high fuel costs plaguing the country forced several entries to cancel their scheduled appearances, Heman said.

Nevertheless, the show still had some amazing restored vehicles including a 1936 Ford Cabriolet, 1970 Jeep Jeepster Commando, 1967 Mustang convertible, 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe, 1952 Chevrolet Styleline and a cherry 1957 Chevrolet.

Las Vegas Boy Scout Troop 17 and Cub Scout Pack 36 set up a concession and were selling hotdogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks.

John Dunn, far left, scout master for Boy Scout Troop 17 of Las Vegas, hangs a sign on a concession stand the troop set up at the Second Annual Valley of Fire Car Show Saturday.

“Troop 17 is a ‘Scout Reach’ troop funded by the Las Vegas Boy Scout Council,” according to John Dunn, scout master. “Our scouts are mostly low income kids located in downtown Las Vegas. This is a great opportunity for us to make some money and provide food and drinks for the participants and visitors.”

All the proceeds earned at the concession stand will go directly into a troop account used to pay for scouting items for the participating scouts.

Judging for the event was broken into three categories – visitor’s choice, scout’s choice and participant’s choice – and there were first, second and third place trophies awarded in each category.

In addition to a trophy and goody bag, top winners also won a pass to state parks for a year and helicopter tour donated by Maverick Helicopters, a co-sponsor of the event.

Doug and Sandy Ramaker of Overton, owners of a restored 1957 Chevrolet, said the Valley of Fire event is going to be something they look forward each year.

“The nice thing about this is that it’s a free show,” Sandy said. “Besides, we love coming here to the Valley of Fire.”