Craig Eaton’s passion for restoring cars comes to life at Evergreen’s Show N’ Shine car show, where Eaton will be participating for the second year in a row this August.

“I just really like how people come together to share a common interest,” Eaton said regarding the show. “It’s been a lot of fun. I’m just having a blast, man.”

Last year, Eaton was awarded the best of show award in Evergreen for his 1956 Chevrolet 210 Wagon. He found the car in the greater Phoenix area, took it home and spent three years restoring it.

This year, Eaton looks forward to bringing a different car to the show, a black 1956 Chevrolet Belair Hardtop, a car that was originally his father’s.

“We are so excited for this year's Show N’ Shine,” Connie McCubbins, the executive director of the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce, said. “Last year we had over 255 vehicles registered and this year we already have quite a few pre-registrations.”

McCubbins also highlighted that there will be multiple food vendors at the show, some fun raffles and they will be selling T-shirts.

Show N’ Shine is one of the largest car shows in the state, according to the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce. It takes place in the Conlin’s Furniture parking lot the first Saturday of August. This year, the event is on Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Over 20 trophies will be awarded.

Eaton, who splits his time between Arizona and Rollins each year, is originally from New York State. His father drag raced throughout Eaton’s life, ultimately inspiring him to take on the sport as well. As a kid, Eaton spent a lot of time at the race track, he said. He started drag racing himself in 1985, even doing so professionally for a few years, further spending a lot of time at the race track as an adult as well.

Cars have always been a part of his life, he said, but after selling his business two years ago, Eaton has had the opportunity to really dive into collecting and restoring cars.

“I really enjoy the restoration aspect of it,” he said.

Eaton recently joined the Glacier Street Rod Association, a group of car enthusiasts who like to run and show their cars. Formed in 1980 by a group of “hot rod enthusiasts,” the group is open to people who own a car that is at least 40 years old or an identifiable replica of one.

From Taco Tuesdays to monthly meetings to time spent at Little Bitterroot Lake, the group has given Eaton a great group of friends, he said. He is looking forward to seeing them at the upcoming Evergreen show as well.

Entry is free for the car show, which is open to all classes of cars, motorcycles and off road vehicles. To register, interested patrons can visit https://www.evergreencofc.com/event-5218160 and contact the Evergreen chamber with any further questions.

“Show N’ Shine is a fun, family event so join us for one of the largest car shows in Montana,” McCubbins said.

Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at kheston@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.