The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

On June 23 and 24, the Blaine County Cruisers, a club of car enthusiasts, saw 51 cars register for their 12th Annual Blaine County Cruise. Winner of the High Point Prize was Bailey Skoyen formerly of Chinook, and Kimber Klein earned the top prize in the youth category.

The public festivities launched at 5:00 on Friday evening when cruisers made their way to the Blaine County Fairgrounds to register for the Cruise with Allen Pula, John Skoyen, or Matt Langford. Cars with interesting paint jobs, such as a lady bug themed Volkswagen Beetle; those with intriguing license plates like HALFNKD, spotted on a 1964 yellow Ford Galaxy convertible; and even rare vehicles like a Victorian Red 1950 Hudson Commodore all parked at the Commercial Building. Each registrant received a bag of promotional items, a meal ticket, a t-shirt imprinted with the Cruise logo for 2023-sponsored by Jamieson Motors-and a challenge card for collecting points earned on the Cruise. After signing in, many joined in a Scavenger Hunt, while others viewed the numerous donated items on display for both silent and live auctions.

Scavenger hunters were invited to cruise Chinook and take as many photographs of signs that were free standing, no taller than six feet, and not attached to the business or facility they announced. One traveler reported submitting 90 photos but only receiving credit for 32 from judges. The points acquired with this activity were added to those collected on the Cruise Challenge Card from five different games on Saturday.

After a free-will donation breakfast of pancakes, sausage, and eggs served by the Blaine County 4-H Foundation on the morning of June 24, cruisers began a line up at approximately 9:00 and cruised past the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home before entering Highway 2. Bound for Chester, their first stop was Fresno Tavern, where participants engaged with a nerf darts challenge hosted by Matt and Tess Langford. The object was to shoot a nerf dart into a netted pocket to earn 20, 15, 10, or 5 points, depending on the targeted pocket.

The next challenge was staged at the rest stop in Chester, where a remote control car had to be operated in order to perform a stunt jump through a tire. Chester's Awesome Autos ETC Museum was also open for touring. This auto museum features classic automobiles, fire engines, antique tractors and other farm equipment, as well as additional historical memorabilia like diner and service station signage.

From there, travel continued to Rudyard for lunch at the Sugar Shack and a ring toss-on-a-cone competition at K-Lines. While a few people visited the museums open for touring in Rudyard, the parking lot at the Sugar Shack saw some muscle car maneuvers with Chris Preputin spinning brodies and Shantel Fouts doing an "epic burnout" that she claims "probably took 2000 miles off the tire's life." Master of Ceremonies on Saturday night, Loren Skoyen described Fouts' burnout in a 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS as "a photo worthy burnout that left lots of rubber residue on the road."

Travel continued to Hingham Park for a drive challenge that involved coming as close as possible to a cone without touching it with the vehicle's bumper. David Mitchler from Rocky Mountain House in Alberta, Canada, considered this challenge the most entertaining on the Cruise. Employing the air bags feature in his vehicle, he was able to earn 21 points on Challenge Number Four, although his father-in-law claims "he cheated." Along with five other Canadians in his group, Mitchler travelled the greatest distance to attend the Blaine County Cruise. Another participant, Stan Billingsley drove from Ravalli County to join in the fun with his 1928 Ford Model T looking vehicle.

The fifth challenge took place in the former North Star Dodge parking lot in Havre. Here, drivers had to grab a bean bag and attempt a hook shot into a tire hoop. According to Langford, "That challenge was a bit of a catastrophe as drivers tried to lob a bean bag towards a target in a drive-by maneuver."

When all cruisers had competed this final challenge, score cards were collected and the convoy of mostly vintage vehicles returned to the Blaine County Fairgrounds for a dinner served by Val's Catering Service. Following the meal-which included roasted pork loin, mashed potatoes, baby carrots, yeast rolls, salad, and chocolate sheet cake-prizes were bestowed and door prizes claimed. Challenge Card competition winner, Bailey Skoyen captured the $1,000 High Point prize, and Kimber Klein acquired the most points in the youth category.

During the Awards Presentation and Auction, emcee Skoyen thanked two of the Club's founding members, Harold Miller and Mike Copenhaver, not only for starting the Club but for sharing the idea for the $1,000 Challenge. Skoyen stated that the monies collected during registration and from the silent and live auctions-beyond those needed to fund the event-are all used in scholarships.

"This is our way of giving back to the community," Skoyen explained. "The scholarships we fund are for students planning to earn a vocational technical degree. We need mechanics and machinists, so it only makes sense that we support young people seeking a vo-tech degree."

The 2023 Blaine County Cruisers' Scholarship winners: Bree Swanson, Torin Cecrle, and Kaden Sullivan were each awarded $500.00.

"Because of your generosity," Skoyen told the crowd gathered, "We will be able to raise our scholarship amount to $750 for three lucky applicants next year."

A live auction-featuring auctioneer Kevin Elias who donated his time to the Club-rounded out the festivities before the capstone event, a showing of the 2005 film Dukes of Hazzard. In the film, two "good old boy" country cousins with NASCAR dreams try to save the family farm from being destroyed by Hazzard County's corrupt commissioner. From the Grandstand Concessions Stand at the Blaine County Fairgrounds, the Chinook FFA served hamburgers and other concession items to people watching this film and the one shown on Friday, Six Pack with Kenny Rogers.