Sven Alskog
News Editor
The eighth annual Chrome in the Dome is scheduled to enter Holt Arena with 140 cars and 23 bikes registered to be shown.
This year, the event will kick off on Friday, March 21 at 2 p.m. The show will run until 9 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Put on by the Idaho State University automotive technology and automotive body programs, Chrome in the Dome has been successful from the start.
Prior to the initial Chrome in the Dome in 2006, Holt Arena, then known as the MiniDome, also hosted a car show. After discussion amongst the auto body instructors, a decision was made to bring back something similar to ISU.
“That first year, marketing and management got involved,” said Brock Gunter, an instructor and coordinator in automotive technology. “It was a big risk but that first year success carried on.”
Thanks in large part to loyal sponsors, the event has only grown over time.
“Les Schwab, CarQuest, Phil Meador, Wesco and Ideal Audio are five major sponsors that have been with us from the start,” said Gunter.
For those who attend Chrome in the Dome, the wide array of vehicles on display drives their attendance.
“There is a wide variety of bikes and automobiles to look at,” said Tyler Hafer. “It was fun to attend and it is pretty interesting to see all the things that people can do with cars and bikes.”
That variety is something that Gunter says keeps people coming back year after year.
“We have motorcycles ranging from old antiques to new 2014 Harleys,” said Gunter. “For cars we have early Model A’s, a Lotus Elise, a 1928 Franklin, a 2014 Ford Shelby, race cars and funny cars. There is such a variety that people can come look at.”
Along with the assortment of options for attendees to enjoy, the event organizers place a focus on changing the layout of the show in Holt Arena fairly often, in large part to make sure that showgoers are seeing something unique each time they go.
“We switch it up every year, if not every other year,” said Gunter. “This year is a totally different layout than last year. It is similar to our first couple of years.”
Over the past couple of years, the setup had the cars in order by decade. This year car owners were allowed to pick their own spots.
The change has been met with a positive response.
“This is the fastest we have filled up,” said Gunter. “We filled all the spots within three weeks of opening registration.”
There are multiple ways in which Chrome in the Dome allows students in the automotive program to get involved, including making the trophies that are given out to participants in the show.
“Our students build trophies out of car parts or something related to that,” said Gunter. “They are unique trophies and we have a lot of creative designs.”
Chrome in the Dome is a part of Idaho State University Week. Other events that will be taking place the week of March 17-22 include a performance by the Civic Symphony on March 21 in the the Jensen Grand Concert Hall and Celebrate Idaho State on March 18 in the Pond Student Union Building.
Tickets for Chrome in the Dome are $5 for adults, while children 12 and under get in free.
