Engines will rev and hoods will rise as Rock’n August rolls back into downtown St. Albert from Aug. 5-9, bringing with it 1,000 classic cars, live music, and five days of nostalgia.
Now in its 29th year, the beloved summer festival has grown into one of Alberta’s largest and most anticipated events, drawing more than 50,000 visitors from across the province and beyond. What started in 1996 as a modest show-and-shine has steadily evolved into a full-blown celebration of car culture, community, and craftsmanship.
This year marks a milestone: vehicle registration has been capped at 1,000 cars — a sign of just how popular the event has become.
“We always say it’s busy, but last year was over the top,” said Rick Dory, president of the Rock’n August board.
At its heart, Rock’n August isn’t just about horsepower, it’s about the stories under the hoods and the people behind the polish.
Few embody that spirit more fully than Gary Poff.
Now in his 80s, Poff has been involved with Rock’n August since the beginning, and his love for cars goes back even further.
“In 1956, when I was 12, my brother-in-law bought me a 1928 Ford Roadster,” he said. “That was the first car I ever worked on. I tore it apart and built a street rod.”
He never quite finished that first build, but the experience lit a fire that has never gone out. Over the decades, he has bought, sold, or built more than 100 vehicles, with a soft spot for 1930s to 1950s models, especially custom convertibles and hot rods.
“I love all years, makes, and models,” he said, “but those older ones are my favourite. Right now, I’ve got five old cars and I’m working on three of them.”
Though he no longer sits on the organizing committee, Poff enters a car in the festival every year and remains a fixture in the community. He has seen how the hobby has changed over time and become more expensive.
“When I started, we made things work with what we had,” he said. “Now most parts are ordered, and a lot don’t fit. It’s a hobby that needs deep pockets today.”
Still, his love for the craft has never wavered. He finds satisfaction in the hands-on process and the hours spent on shaping metal into something beautiful.
“My favourite part is body fabrication," he said. "I like watching something come together."
That sense of joy, creation, connection, and shared passion, is what fuels Rock’n August year after year. It’s more than just a car show, it’s a place where generations come together and where old friends reunite.
And as the engines rumble and the music plays, people like Gary Poff are reminded why they keep coming back.
“They’re doing a fantastic job,” he said. “It’s growing every year, and it’s something I’ll always be a part of.”
