WHEATLAND – Local business owner Bob Ruwart and former president of the Blue Mountain Car Show, Kevin Mcbride, spoke to the Wheatland town council about continuing a summer car show in Wheatland.
For the last five years, Wheatland has been the go-to place for car, truck, and tractor enthusiasts from a multi-state region for the Blue Mountain Car Show, which brings in tourism and business to the town. Mcbride said the Blue Mountain Car Show has been disbanded, leaving a notable hole in the local summer calendar. However, both he and Ruwart wanted to try and continue tradition with a new show, branded the Wheatland Car Show, with permission of the town.
McBride asked the town if they would still be able to provide barricades and additional trash cans in the downtown area during the show, which council members agreed they could accommodate.

Questions were raised about how the upcoming 16th Street reconstruction project could affect the show, especially in terms of closing 9th Street while 16th is under construction. Mayor Graves said traffic could be detoured for a one-day event and that it would be worth it to continue the show, which brings a notable amount of revenue to the downtown businesses. Bob Ruwart also mentioned they might need a different venue for their signup night, as his business (which was used in past years) is located along 16th Street and might be difficult for some of the cars to access if the road is under construction.
Lewis Park was considered as an alternative location.
Mcbride also told the council the organizers intend to donate revenue from the show to the local volunteer fire department. Mcbride and Ruwart do not make any money off the car show personally, rather they put it together as a community service.
More information will be upcoming in the next few months as plans are finalized. There is still a lot to figure out, however residents and businesses who have become accustomed to the local car show can be glad there are plans to continue it – albeit under a new name.