Sue Sitter/PCT Rob Rose, from Brandon, Manitoba, Canada shows his 1934 Ford Coupe.

Fifty-five car enthusiasts from North Dakota and Canada gathered in Rugby’s Ellery Park Sunday, July 16 for the Fourth Annual Dwight Jelsing Memorial Car Show.

Participants came from the Rugby, Grand Forks, Hazen, Minot and Manitoba, Canada to show off their cars and trucks.

Showcased were cars and trucks that ranged from hot rods to restored classics.

The show began as a tribute to Dwight Jelsing, co-founder of the Rugby Car Club. Jelsing died in March 2020.

Mike Black of the Rugby Car Club and Jelsing’s daughter, Christie Jelsing, organized the event.

“My dad was one of the people that helped with the car club getting started in 2015. This is perfect. My dad was the best man. He was so cool, and he was a friend to everybody,” said Jelsing. “He was just kind. He always made you feel special.”

Jelsing’s father’s funeral procession included a long line of classic cars escorting the hearse.

“It’s not very often you hear of a cool funeral,” she said. “But it was.”

Rob Rose, Brandon, Manitoba, came to the show with his girlfriend, Barb Balanyk. Rose drove his yellow, three-windowed 1934 Ford Coupe. Balanyk drove her 1934 Ford pickup truck.

“I’ve owned it for 43 years and it’s been on the road for 34 or 35. I have other cars. This is my favorite,” said Rose. “I got the cab, two doors, frame, trunk lid and dash. Everything else, I built and put together. I got it on the road in about 1990.”

Balaynk did most of the work to build her pickup truck including sanding, welding and paying for things.

“Her first major trip in that thing was out to Newfoundland in 1991,” Rose said.

Allen Deplazes, Surrey, came to Rugby with his dad, Phil, and girlfriend, Tori Schmidt, to show his two-toned copper and white 1958 Edsel.

“The Edsel’s short-lived production had three-year models.” (It) was pretty rough when I got it,” said Deplazes. “I found this one in Port Angeles, Washington and bought it from the second owner. It was sitting in a carport with four flat tires and no brakes, boxes covering it. That was in ’98. I got it painted in 2000 and restored and that’s the same paint, 23-year-old paint.”

Deplazes, who has worked in the mental health field for 30 years, said he’s been restoring the Edsel bit by bit for more than two decades. He said restoring cars provides a needed break after stressful days.

“You never finish a project unless you’re a millionaire,” Deplazes quipped.

He needs to replace the Edsel’s V-8 engine.

“It’s grown a little bit every year,” said Black. “Last year, it was hot, so attendance was down, but this year, we’ve had really good attendance.”

All the proceeds from registration goes to the Children’s Miracle Network, and North Star Community Credit Union is matching the money.

Participants and spectators cast votes for awards given to the best vehicles in two categories.

The show’s People’s Choice Award went to Rugby’s Steve Fritel and his 1969 Camaro. Fritel received a traveling trophy for his entry.

The Participants’ Choice Award turned out to be a five-way tie between Rose’s Ford Coupe, a Plymouth Roadrunner, a Mustang Mach-1, a 1959 Edsel and a 2002 Ford Thunderbird owned by Ron Faleide, Devils Lake. Faleide won the plaque after his name was drawn from a hat to break the tie.

“Thunderbird has its original paint and interior,” said Faleide. “It’s got 60,000 miles. It was babied.”

Black said the Rugby Car Club holds cruises every first and third Thursday of the month.

“We leave from the NAPA parking lot at 6:30 p.m. Whoever wants to come can come,” Black said. “Everyone’s welcome. It doesn’t make a difference what you drive. Any car, pickup, motorcycle is welcome. Just come out and enjoy yourself.”