Carnation’s July 4 Hot Rods & Harleys show is all about the classic wheels

To classic car guys, a sunny day is usually reason enough to roll their prized possessions out of the garage and put them on display. Add the food, fun and crowds of the Great Carnation 4th of July celebration, and who needs a trophy? “If this was just a car show all by itself, I would say ‘yeah, you have to have trophies,’ but we’re in the middle of the Carnation 4th of July celebration,” says Roger Jones, organizer of the annual Hot Rods & Harleys show at Carnation. “I think there’s plenty of reason for people to bring their cars out.”

June 27, 2013 9:57 am
Roger Jones of Duvall is a classic car buff and organizer of this year’s show.
Roger Jones of Duvall is a classic car buff and organizer of this year’s show.

To classic car guys, a sunny day is usually reason enough to roll their prized possessions out of the garage and put them on display. Add the food, fun and crowds of the Great Carnation 4th of July celebration, and who needs a trophy?

“If this was just a car show all by itself, I would say ‘yeah, you have to have trophies,’ but we’re in the middle of the Carnation 4th of July celebration,” says Roger Jones, organizer of the annual Hot Rods & Harleys show at Carnation. “I think there’s plenty of reason for people to bring their cars out.”

Jones, who also organizes the Big Rock Classic Car Show in Duvall, says the show will see a lot of returning cars—about 85 are expected­—and a few changes this year.

“It’s not going to be the trophied event this year,” Jones said, in part because the show has no sponsor, but also because car shows in general are moving away from trophies to “events where you just come out and show off your car… a show and shine is what they call it.”

There will still be ribbons and bragging rights for the cool cars and hot bikes, but only for the best of the class.

“We’ll probably have five or six categories with ribbons,” Jones said, “best car, truck, motorcycle, maybe grand and maybe a reserve champion,” he said.

The show will return to 4760 Tolt Avenue, the parking lot of the new Gigi’s Cafe and former Bank of America building, too. Last year’s event was at the Carnation Elementary School, which Jones said was also a great venue, but caused concerns about traffic back-ups and pedestrian safety. Also, the Stedman family, owners of Gigi’s, welcomed the show back.

“Janice and Randy wanted it there,” Jones said, and the restaurant will be open for business during the show.

Anyone can enter the show for the $20 registration fee, either online at http://sedona57.wufoo.com/forms/z7x3x5, or starting at 8 a.m. the day of the show. Judging will begin at 10 a.m., and Jones will announce the winners at 1:30 p.m.

He takes no credit for making the show happen, though.

“I’m just the day of the show guy,” he said. “That Carnation 4th of July committee is amazing. They just get it done….It makes putting on the show so easy.”

The committee is also still seeking a sponsor for the show. To contact a committee member about sponsorship, visit www.carnation4th.org/contacts.htm.

For full details on the Hot Rods show, visit http://www.carnation4th.org/hotrods_harleys.htm.