Shop owners with to-go lunch bags hurrying through the streets, children squealing as they spun hula hoops around their knees, teens ogling vintage Fords, Dodges, Chevys, Jags, Studebakers, Pontiacs. Mothers pushing strollers down the streets, dads chasing toddlers powered by kettlekorn and snow cones, Elvis warning everyone to stay off his blue suede shoes, the air filled with the aroma of wood fired pizza and hot dogs. Couples strolling hand and hand down the center of Mt. Shasta Blvd dreaming about their perfect car or sitting in the shade by their four wheel babies, basking in the praise showered upon them by passers-by.
A whole lot of movin’ and groovin’ was going on Saturday for Mount Shasta’s 2010 Labor Day weekend Car Show and Shine.
“We’re happy we came!” smiled Annie Turlo as she slid into her Subaru. “It was great fun. My husband knew about the car show, but when he saw there was a quilt show, too, he talked me into coming. That’s where we’re headed now.” The Turlos took a day trip from Klamath Falls to enjoy the festivities. “The car show is my cover,” Larry laughed as he sipped his brew.
“I love the show; it’s my third one here, I just like to see what’s out here,” said David Mitchell from Redding. Though he hoped to win a prize, he didn’t vote for his ’53 blue Studebaker. “The ’23 T caught my eye. It got my vote for Participants’ Choice.”
Show and Shine became a family and friend reunion for Doris and Ron Beek from Michigan, College of the Siskiyous students Katie Driesenga and Chelsea Plucker, also from Michigan, and Oregonians Carol and Colin Patrick.
Carol and Doris went to high school in Michigan; after 40 years, they “found each other again.” The Beeks came to Mount Shasta to see how the Patricks’ entry 130, a 1937 two door Chevy sedan, would do in the show. “We wanted to cast our vote for them,” Doris laughed, “and of course, we’re out here to support our girls.” “Number 130 is our favorite,” Katie and Chelsea chimed in. “We love all the cars, but No. 130 is definitely our favorite. Even if it didn’t belong to Grandma’s best friend, we’d still vote for it!”
“I don’t know how anyone could possibly choose a favorite car,” Shelly Pappas exclaimed. “I like the old Corvette,” interrupted Nathan, her 10 year old son. “And I like the Power Way,” said Shelly’s husband Chris.
“Hey, that’s my favorite!” 11 year old Alex said. The 1957 red Dodge Power Wagon drew the attention of many. “I think it’s the big wheels, and that it’s red.” Shelly laughed.
Mount Shastan Rick Florendo registered his vibrant yellow Mustang GT with black racing stripes in Saturday’ s car extravaganza at the crack of dawn. Florendo showed his hot rod in Friday’s Cruise Night event, but at that time had no plans for entering the Show and Shine. “I think all the compliments yesterday made me want to be here today. Everyone thinks it’s a Bumblebee car from Transformers, which I’m OK with. There are a lot of nice old cars out here, a lot of competition. I don’t think I’ll win a prize, but that’s OK. The kids love my car, they love all of it, and that makes me happy.”
A quartet of firefighters clustered around a ’57 Chevy pick-up. “We’re on lunch and had to come down to see the show,” Dustin Lopez said.
“I like cars. I like the time people spend in their labor of love,” Josiah Obst added. “I really like the green Super sport.”
I like them all,” Ester Bauman smiled. “Me too!” Jessica Huntoon echoed.
“This is a beautiful show, the most cars I’ve ever seen. My favorite is the ’59 Corvette,” Jessica Martin laughed.
“We’ve been coming for the last two years. It’s nice to see all the old cars, and it’s a good opportunity to get her out and wheel her around.” One year old Riley smiled up from her little red wagon.
One hundred and 69 cars were registered in the 22nd annual Car Show and Shine, according to event co-director Dawn Snure.
“This is the largest show we’ve ever had. Our max is 175 cars,” noted Chief of Police Parish Cross.
“This is a great turn-out! People have come from as far as Arizona and have been here since we started at 9 a.m. We’re real happy with all of it,” said Show and Shine helper Rosa Mero.
“This was a great chance for us to get out and socialize,” said Jean Cassle. Her husband Mike and she drove from their home in Modesto to enter their gypsy red and shoreline beige ’55 Chevy. “We saw it advertised on the Internet and decided to make it a ‘two-fer.’ We’re at the car show today and we’ll go to the quilt show tomorrow. We might even go to the Blackberry Festival. We came Friday night to the BBQ Cruise Night, and we’ll leave Monday,” Jean said. The Cassles have owned their Chevy for 25 years and have two other prize show cars. “This is the one we drive. We’ve been all over, but this is the first time we’ve come to Mount Shasta. It’s a very nice show, very well run, relaxed, and the town is receptive to car people. We’re really glad we came,” Mike noted.
“Don’t envy the judges today,” Mt. Shastan Tom Moore laughed. “I could take a few trucks home, but I’d hate to say which one is the best. Everything about today just proves how great our city is. Look around, everyone’s having a good time. From classic car owners to toddlers, this is one cool event!”
Funds raised by Car Show and Shine and Cruise Night are used to support DARE and Community Education programs.
