Showin’ Off at the Summer’s End Car Show

lacey car show
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By Kathryn Millhorn

lacey car showPoet Wallace Stevens said that “the summer…is like a perfection of thought” but I prefer the freedom expressed by writer James Dent, “a perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.”

And while we all know that Mother Nature can produce some glorious weather in late September, rain is sometimes in the forecast.  Good Pacific Northwest residents never let a little drizzle get in the way of fun.

If you find yourself in such lucky straights on Saturday, September 20 between 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., head over to the 13th annual Summer’s End Rod, Custom, and Specialty Car Show at Lacey’s Huntamer Park.  The event is free to attend and interested vendors and vehicle entries are possible by calling Lacey Parks and Recreation at 360-491-0857 or downloading participation forms from the event’s webpage.

Begun in 2002, the event hosts a wide array of amazing vehicles.  Lacey Parks Recreation Supervisor Jeannette Sieler explains that the event “continues to be a partnership with the City, Cool Creek Nites Car Club and the Lacey Chamber.

lacey car show The park makes a really fun site for the car show, with the trees and green grass, the stage with live music, games in the middle of the park surrounded by cars from every era.  The date, the last Saturday of the summer, was set to not conflict with other shows in the area at the time.  The show draws local car owners as well as folks from Oregon, Eastern Washington, as well as north of Seattle.”

The event has hosted such notable cars as a 1906 Holsman Horseless Carriage (scheduled to return this year), a 2013 Tesla, motorcycles, and all manner of custom-created hotrods.  Sieler expects between 120-300 cars “depending on the weather—a big deal for classic car owners!” and will help present awards in 50 categories including favorite family ride, best paint, best engine, and more.

Winners of the various divisions will receive a plaque and a customized trunk organizer.  The day’s top winner, favorite in show will have their vehicle featured in next year’s promotional material; 2013 winner Paul Brown’s 1928 Chevy truck graces posters, signage, t-shirts, and more.

lacey car showAll entries will receive a free photo of their car as well as exclusive participation in a poker walk and a scavenger hunt, a new activity.  Proceeds from the event will support the purchase of defibrillators for the Bucoda community fire department via the Cool Creek Nites Car Club.  The first 200 entries will receive a goody bag and dash plaque so register early.

Some of this year’s key event sponsors are Interstate Batteries, Cut Rate Auto Parts, and Capital Heating and Cooling.  The curious but unconvinced can watch a short video of the 2011 show online to whet their appetite.

In addition to the amazing cars, the day features many food, craft, and commercial vendors as well as live music by the local band Backlash, and car-themed games for kids.  Look for the Lacey Sunrise Lions and their piston toss, lug nut challenge, and fan belt toss.

Says Sieler, “car shows are held every weekend in every community but I like to think Summer’s End is special because of the beautiful location at Huntamer Park, the family games and activities, the great variety of vehicles you might see, and the vendors and live music truly make this a great event for the whole family!”

 

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