Featuring fascinating highlights for car enthusiasts, the 2011 Red Deer Speed & Custom Show and Collector Car Auction rolls out at Westerner Park March 18-20.

The fifth annual event, hosted by The Electric Garage of Red Deer, also features special guests George Barris – ‘The King of Kustomizers’ and the ‘Big Schwag’ Brett Wagner from Speed Channel’s Pass Time.

Things kick off March 18 at Westerner Park with a no reserve ‘Automobilia – Memorabilia’ sale. The auction starts at 7 p.m. Folks can preview the collector car line-up with doors opening at 4 p.m.

On March 19, the no reserve memorabilia auction starts at 10:30 a.m. with the collector car auction at 11 a.m. Doors open at 9 a.m.

And finally, on March 20 the auction begins at noon with doors opening at 10 a.m.

Todd Schwindt, president/owner of The Electric Garage said the event includes an exciting array of entertainment including sports and rock memorabilia to bid on as well. The Electric Garage markets classic cars to collectors around the world via live collector car auctions, Internet marketing, classified advertising as well as professional Ebay auction hosting.

Last year, some 10,000 people dropped by the spring event in Red Deer, and Schwindt expects to eclipse that number this year.

“I think it’s a very unique event, and it’s the largest of its kind in Canada,” he said, adding the hours have also been extended this year.

“The quality of the cars continues to bring people out,” he said. “Every year, we get bigger and bigger. People are calling from all over the place and asking how they can get involved.”

As to guest George Barris, this year marks the second time he’s been a part of the event. He’s been recognized as one of the best-known designers of custom cars in the world, having designed cars for all kinds of Hollywood programs and films including The Munsters, The Beverly Hillbillies, The Dukes of Hazard, Starsky and Hutch, Knight Rider and Batman.

Barris will be onhand to chat with folks over the weekend, and is completely approachable and always ready to share a story from his incredible career, said Schwindt.

Barris created his first full custom from a used 1936 Ford convertible before he graduated from high school. Shortly after he formed the Kustoms Car Club. He soon opened his first shop and it wasn’t long before his brother joined him in the venture.

He eventually formed Kustoms of Los Angeles which was initially restricted to Barris customers and later became Kustoms of America.

Brett the ‘Big Schwag’ Wagner has been in the entertainment business for 15 years, starting out as an actor in Hollywood at the age of 21.

Over the years, he has guest starred in more than 40 shows and films. He also hosted his own radio show called Wrestling 101 on the Comedy World Radio Network and was in 36 markets nationwide.

Later on, Thom Beers found The Big Schwag when he was filming a documentary called Wrestling School. The two kept a friendship for years and thus Monster Garage came about.

Meanwhile, weekend passes for the Red Deer Speed and Custom Show are $15. Day passes are $10. Kids 12 and under get in for free.

For more information, call Todd Schwindt at 403-396-0304, email him at todd@egauctions.com or check out www.theelectricgarage.com.

mweber@reddeerexpress.com