The roar of a 383 stroker engine cut through the evening air outside Century Casino on Tuesday (Aug. 5), as Rock’n August officially kicked off with the unveiling of its next Classic Car for a Cure lottery prize: a fully restored 1965 Acadian, complete with a custom interior and vintage muscle charm.
The reveal, a highlight of the festival’s opening night Show’n Shine, marked the beginning of the 2025 lottery campaign, a unique fundraiser that pairs Alberta’s love of classic cars with life-changing diabetes research.
“Every year we try to get a car better than the last,” said Rock'n August president Rick Dory.
The Acadian joins a lineup of past showstoppers, including the last grand prize, a nut-and-bolt resto-mod 1956 Mercury M100 truck, valued at $70,000. While that draw took place during Tuesday’s event, ticket sales for the new Acadian are now live, with proceeds going to the Alberta Diabetes Foundation.
The Classic Car for a Cure lottery has helped Rock’n August raise nearly $1.8 million for local diabetes research, much of it supporting breakthrough projects at the University of Alberta’s Alberta Diabetes Institute. The festival itself, which began in 1996, has grown into an international car and music event that draws over 50,000 people and more than 550 registered vehicles to St. Albert each summer.
Dory says the car selection process is a true team effort, handled by a small committee within the organization.
“The Alberta Diabetes Foundation purchases the vehicle, and we work together to find something that will really resonate with our supporters,” he said.
For ADF executive director Lindsay Burnham, the car represents more than horsepower. It’s a vehicle for hope.
“We’re seeing major breakthroughs in diabetes research, including oral drugs now in clinical trials that could protect and regenerate insulin-producing cells,” Burnham said. “The funds from this lottery directly support that work and they stay right here in Alberta.”
“This event isn’t just about the cars,” said Melissa Perez, communications lead at ADF. “It’s about community and changing lives.”
From rumbling burnouts to pancake breakfasts and live music, the Rock’n August festival continues through Saturday (Aug. 9) with events across St. Albert. But for those who want to support the cause year-round, a ticket to win the Acadian offers something lasting.
