Cars in the Hills 2026

Posted on July 7, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

By Marcus Day

Maple Creek News

For car collectors, rain is enemy #1. Moisture accelerates rust, damages electrical components, and can ruin expensive paint finishes.

Even the possibility of rain is enough to deter many from taking their prized possessions outside.

Such was the case with Saturday’s annual Creek Classics Car Club show. Rain was in the forecast. The morning skies were leaden, and briefly a few spots of rain could be felt, but in the afternoon the sun emerged, bathing the main parking lot near the entrance to Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park in a warm glow and making paintwork sparkle. It turned into a day for swimming, eating ice-cream … and enjoying a car show.

Unfortunately, numbers for Cars In The Hills 2026 had already been hit. There were 35 entrants – better than last year’s rain-sodden show, but nowhere near the 80-90 vehicles that usually appear on a sunny weekend.

The ones that did, enjoyed themselves in an idyllic setting, looking especially verdant after recent downpours.

Among the newcomers were Rob and Kelly Winter, from Brooks, thrilled to show off their copper coloured 1951 Chevy 3100 truck with its matching 1982 “Lil Big Foot” camper.

Their plan had been to attend the Sundre Car Show on June 28. However, when it was postponed because of severe weather forecasts, they searched for another destination. What could be better than the Cypress Hills?

“It is our first time here, and we are loving it,” said Rob.

What does he like about the Chevy truck?

“I just like the look. It’s nice and sexy,” he said.

Brenden Bruneau, who lives with his family on an acreage near Hepburn, Saskatchewan, works in the world of finance.

When he isn’t suited up and attending meetings, he loves restoring old vehicles and attending car shows.

At Cypress Hills, his dream project was on display – a 2023 Circle 5 T—Roadster, which is 100 per cent home-built.

From a distance it looks like a Ford Model T from the 1920s. Come closer, and you will see its custom-built uniqueness.

On his phone, Brenden has a photograph of how the vehicle developed from an embryonic body and steel frame in 2017.

“It is a dream come true,” he said.

Brent Fernquist, who has run an auto repair shop in Tompkins for 40 odd years, has been restoring classic vehicles most of his life.

When he came across an old truck in a junk pile south of Tompkins two years ago, he saw his next project.

The 1957 Chev Pickup has now been transformed. Although the front end dates back to ’57, the back end is 1967 vintage,

“I’ve put hundreds of hours of work into it,” Brent said.

For Saturday’s show, an old article promoting the “Blue Chip 4-wheel drive”, with black-and-white photos, was placed on the windshield. It stated that the new GMC truck had “unmatched power”, can take full loads while mastering the toughest terrain, and have the full road-speed of standard GMC models.

“So sum it up: here’s a 4-wheel drive that’s an off-road worker, a husky hauler, and a family transport too – all at single vehicle price. Look into it at your GMC dealer,” the article says.

Raymond Peterson, from Tompkins, is trying to find the history of his 1961 Ford Thunderbird.

He knows a previous owner was Lenard Ellis, who used to enjoy restoring and showing his antique cars, of which the 1929 Model A was dearest to his heart.

Another snippet of information is that its first owner won it in a freshie jingle contest.

Since acquiring it about five years ago, Raymond has redone the brakes and upholstery. The trunk is now so immaculate that someone could eat off it, although replacing the dashboard is probably next on Raymond’s to-do list.

Best of all, the car moves with the grace of a bird, living up to its name.

“It’s a beautiful car to drive,” he said. “It’s so smooth, it floats.”

A few metres away, another Thunderbird, this one a 1970 Ford painted gem green metallic, also captured lots of attention.

Belonging to Wade and Susan Pridmore, from Consul, it has been in the family since 1971 and has significant sentimental value.

“I remember driving it when I was in high school and university,” said Wade.

The couple also like taking it out on date nights.

Wade acquired the Thunderbird from his grandparents, Jim and Millie. It spent 13 months in a body shop in Regina, undergoing improvements.

One of the attractions of the car is its relative rarity. For the 1970 model year, the Thunderbird was stylistically updated with the addition of a large, bird’s beak-style projection out of its grille.

“There are not many 1970 models in Canada,” said Wade.

Another vintage car enthusiast from Consul is Larry McMillan. He and his son, Chris, have about 20 classic vehicles.

His latest acquisition is a 1940 Ford Tudor street rod, notable for its humpback design and grille.

Its features include: 350 V8 and Vintage Air; TH350 Auto and Lokar Shifter, custom gauges and white interior, wide white4 wall tires, custom chassis and four-wheel disc brakes.

“I really like the look of it,” said McMillan.

Passers-by and judges also liked the look of it.

At about 3.30pm, the “top 3” awards were handed out to:

• Rod and Kelly Winter’s 1951 Chevy 3100;
• Larry McMillan’s 1940 Ford Tudor street rod; and
• Wade Pridmore’s 1970 Thunderbird.