All- Wheels Breaks All Records!

DAYTON -- Main Street was packed from end- to-end last weekend as old favorites and new exciting events came together for a warm and sunny annual Dayton All-Wheels Weekend. The event brought classics including the car show and drag races, the groundbreaking of the new Best Western Hotel and a pub crawl that catered to the young adult event attendees.

More than 360 cars were registered for judging and there were 413 cars parked along Main Street, coordinator Bette Lou Crothers said.

"It was out of the park," Crothers said about the event. "It was absolutely unbelievable in every area of the show."

Dayton Chamber of Commerce Administrative Assistant Linze Purcell said this year's event brought in a record- breaking number of vehicle entries.

"There were a ton of people," Purcell said. "I've had quite a few people tell me it was the most people they've ever seen for the event. It was really successful, we had hardly any complaints at all. It seemed like everyone had a great time."

She added the restaurants were packed and everyone seemed to be having fun. Some restaurants even ran out of food by Saturday evening.

Restaurant owner and new Chamber Director Brad Mc- Masters said the event was a huge success for the local businesses as well.

"I really think this was the busiest week we've ever had," McMasters said. "It was busy, very successful and a lot of fun."

Crothers added the speeder car rides actually sold out with every available ride taken before the end of the weekend.

Saturday morning marked the ground breaking for the Best Western Hotel, which owner Derek Duke plans to be finished in February or March. The hotel is being built at the former Dayton Wine Works site on the East side of town.

Project Manager Fred Smith said about 80 people attended the groundbreaking event.

The foundation pouring is expected to start in the next four to six weeks with an estimated eight months of build- ing time for the hotel itself.

Duke said the 50-room hotel will feature cuttingedge materials with stan- dards surpassing the Best Western minimum require- ments. He said the hotel will provide a brand people will recognize to help lure tourists into Dayton with a familiar place to stay. He also said he is invested in the area and has a farm in north Waitsburg. He said he enjoys spending time at the jimgermanbar as well as the Whoopemup Café.

Crothers said later in the day on Saturday, the demoli- tion derby at the Columbia County Fairgrounds brought in many gate receipts and brought in more money than ever.

Purcell said the demolition derby was packed and had more attendees than in recent years.

Both Crothers and Purcell were pleased with the success of the pub crawl and the opportunity it gave attendees to continue the fun without leaving Dayton.

Crothers said she was hap- py to see there were events to appeal to people of all ages. Purcell agreed and said the success of the event made all of the extra hours she, Croth- ers and other planners put in setting up and running the event, well worth the time.

"We're already making plans for next year," Crothers said. Even after 18 years we still find things to work on. We already have plans for the 20th anniversary."