Collectors, owners and builders from around the region will converge on Philomath Saturday for the 27th annual Philomath Classic Car Show, a tradition that has settled into a consistent venue at Philomath City Park and on a specific weekend with the nearby Philomath Frolic and Rodeo.
Greg Henderson, a local car enthusiast who organizes the event, said he pushed hard for the car show to take place on Frolic weekend, a change that occurred in 2015.
“The Frolic was all about it because people park their cars and 80% of the people from the car show walk to the parade and watch the parade and then there is a flood of people that come back to the car show for something to do before the Frolic starts,” Henderson said. “I think it’s awesome because everybody’s happy and it’s really nice to have something to do.”
The car show will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. There is no admission fee and free parking will be available in the park. Awards will be presented at 2 p.m.
“Guys buy and sell a lot of cars but they still love car shows because that’s where they see all their buddies,” Henderson said. “It brings out a whole genre of people from just car owners to car builders who are looking for ideas and seeing what other guys are doing.”
The car show often serves as a sort of reunion for gearheads.
“It has really changed in the last 10 years,” Henderson said, “but it’s funny — it’s the same group of people but the cars change.”
Classic car shows typically draw an older crowd and it’s a welcomed sight when the younger generation shows up. Veterans of such shows often want to pass on their knowledge and passion.
“We probably had eight guys in the youth category last year,” Henderson said. “We were pretty happy with that because we only had one kid the year before that. Hopefully that keeps picking up. The more I look around, I see kids driving ’70s El Caminos and ’60s Camaros — there’s quite a bit out there that you didn’t see for a lot of years.”
The show features a number of different categories for cars (modified/custom and stock), convertibles, imports, trucks (custom and stock), under construction, junior/youth, rat rods, special interest, survivor (not altered in any way) and electric vehicles.
“Obviously, it’s only one category because it’s the only one there but it’s coming of age,” Henderson said. “You know, there’s some vintage electric cars out there.”
The latest year of production for a vehicle to be able to participate in the show is 2004. There are also various special awards that cover everything from best flames and pinstripes to best paint, engine and interior. There’s even an award for the furthest driven.
Henderson said six new categories were added this year with so many 1960s Mopars, Chevrolets and Fords — three each for cars and pickups.
“It’s six more trophies to hand out and you know, I’d say 50% of the guys that show up are going for a trophy,” Henderson said. “The other 50% are just showing off their cars and they don’t really care.”
The People’s Choice and Contestants’ Choice represent two more awards.
Car show participants can register online — the organization has a new website this year — but same-day registrations are also accepted beginning at 7 a.m.
“We’d like people to not show up until 7 but that never works,” Henderson said. “There’s always a line by 7 o’clock, at least 20 to 30 rigs. Usually they’re in a group and want to make sure they all get parked together.”
Vendors will be on site to provide food, beverages and shaved ice. Plus, there will be face-painting and a 50-50 raffle among the activities.
Henderson said the car show attracts a similar number of participants each year.
“We’ve been down to around 170 and we’ve been as many as 240 like 10 to 12 years ago so 200 is a good average,” he estimated.
The show is one of the few that takes place on grass — a luxury compared to those staged in parking lots, which can be a little uncomfortable in summer heat. The city park venue also provides conveniences that include bathrooms, a covered shelter and a playground for youngsters.
