Igniters set to burn rubber

It’s off to the races for the annual Ignite the Nites car show.

The Igniters Car Club announced online that their event would be held from Aug. 13 to 16.

In an Aug. 10 Facebook post, the club asked all those attending the car show to follow Gov. Steve Bullock’s mask directive, which requires the wearing of face coverings at outdoor public gatherings of 50 or more people where social distancing is not possible.

“The Igniters Car Club as well as the Ignite the Nites event are being watched and scrutinized by the Lincoln County health officer,” the post read. “Ignite the Nites is striving to be a model event for Lincoln County, the outcome will dictate whether or not future events are allowed to happen.”

The club asked that all those who feel ill, have had contact with a person who has tested positive for the virus or are unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition to not attend the event.

During a July 16 county health board meeting, Kevin Peck, an Igniters Car Club member, argued that the show could go forward with social distancing. He also pointed out the economic benefits of the yearly tradition.

“It’s a big event. It brings a lot of money to a lot of people,” Peck said. “There is a lot riding in our community on that event and other events. If we’re going to implement what the governor suggested, that’s great. I’m not sure why we need to be more restrictive than the governor.”

Peck did not respond to multiple calls regarding how the club will ensure their event will comply with the mandate.

County health department officials refused to release details of the plans submitted by the club.

While the pandemic has led to the cancellation of many area events, south Lincoln County has hosted three major gatherings this summer: the Fourth of July celebration in Libby dubbed Liberty on Parade, the Kootenai Highland Gathering and the Kootenai River Stampede.

Organizers of the latter event joined Peck in publicly lobbying health officials to step back from banning large-scale gatherings. Like the car club, the Kootenai River Stampede Committee issued reminders of the governor’s mask mandate on Facebook prior to the event.

In practice, though, few abided by the mandate. Multiple photographs captured over the course of the two-day event showed fans sitting in close proximity without face coverings, corresponding with eyewitness accounts gathered by the staff of The Western News in attendance. At least one member of the committee, Loni Harmon, posted on Facebook that masks would not be required at the event and that staff would not enforce the governor’s mandate.

Members of the committee did not return multiple calls for comment.

In an interview after the rodeo, Lincoln County Health Officer Dr. Brad Black said that holding events outdoors made transmission of the coronavirus less likely. But individuals could negate that advantage by gathering in close proximity.

Ultimately, event organizers could have the best plans on paper, but it remained up to individuals to follow the rules, Black said.

According to the Igniters Car Club Facebook posts, this year’s Ignite the Nites event will include poker runs on Aug. 13 and 14. A car cruise down Mineral Avenue will be held on Aug. 15 but burnouts, stunts and excessive speed will not be allowed. The club wrote that the new restrictions were due to changes from their insurance provider.

“No insurance provider (we searched for four months) will allow this activity within close proximity to persons,” the club wrote in an Aug. 10 post.

A burnout contest will be held at 5 p.m. on Aug. 15 at the motocross track off Fish Pond Road.

The club also plans to hold a “Pin-Up Girl and Rockabilly Girl” contest. According to a July 31 post, all outfits are to be “classy, not trashy.” No swimsuits, lingerie or visible belly buttons will be allowed.

The winner of this year’s 2020 Pedal Car raffle, which will be drawn for on Aug. 15, can expect to take home a bright fuchsia-colored model jeep.

Other events include a selfie scavenger hunt and flame throwing in front of First Montana Bank on Aug. 14 and a Swedish pancake breakfast on Aug. 16.