Waitsburg Classic Auto Show enjoys great turn out

Car enthusiasts were more than excited to gather for the first show since the COVID-19 shutdowns.

WAITSBURG-More than 160 car entries showed up for the 14th Annual Waitsburg Classic Auto Show on May 14th and 15th. Waitsburg's Preston Park was filled with cars of all ages, sizes, and styles on one of the hottest days of the year so far, but no one was complaining. Car shows across the nation were canceled last year, as a result of the global pandemic.

Fifteen vendors provided cold beverages, street tacos, and more for visitors and entrants alike- snow cones were a hit once the thermometer read 85 degrees!

The auto show is hosted by New Generations Car Club, in the Tri-Cities. Club members helped emcee the event, hosted door prizes and games, and provided music. A special thanks go out to all of the businesses who sponsored the event.

Best in Show, 2021: 1934 Chevy

"In 1999, I was looking in one of the Penny Savers- there were no pictures, just the description. It said 34 Chevy, the price and whatnot. I live in Grand Coulee, and it was up in Twisp, which is quite a ways away, and it was way up in the mountains. I went and looked at it and it was in really nice shape- gray primer at the time. I went up to look at it on a Friday, brought it home that next Monday, then took it up to Canada to have it painted and bodywork done."

Owner Boozer Barnaby said that he wanted a hotrod for his retirement, but the car just 'fell into his lap' before then. His retirement hotrod has a nearly 20 year old paint job that looks impeccable, and Barnaby says that the bright yellow car can be seen cruising down the road in the summertime- sometimes as far as California or Glacier National Park.

The 1934 Chevy won the coveted Best of Show award at the 14th Annual Classic Car Show.

Old Hickory: 1937 Ford Rat Rod

"I got the bug the first time I saw a rat rod- I had to have one. So, I got the start of one from a guy, it was a case of 'broken dreams,' if you will. I brought it home and started working on it. The car has been changed many, many times over the years," said owner Joe Middelton, of his 1937 Ford Rat Rod Pickup. "I built my own frame and different engine. It's been about six years in the process, but rat rods, man, you are never done working on them!"

Middleton said that he often drives the low-riding pickup on highways and main roads, even taking it on a round trip to Lake Havasu, Ari., a more than 2,400-mile round trip. He is no stranger to surprised looks or enthusiastic photographers trying to snap a photo of the rat rod as it cruises, and said that the interaction is part of what makes owning a rat rod so fun.

The car does have a sentimental side, though, despite its tough-guy looks.

"This emblem is from the 30th Infantry Division shoulder pad. My dad was in the 30th during World War II- so that's why it's called 'Old Hickory,' to honor Dad," Middleton said. The car has military nods all throughout its build- including a 50 caliber crosshair sight in front of a vent. Other fun features include a Jack Daniels whiskey bottle that has been retrofitted for coolant overflow.

Purple Reign: 2019 Challenger

Tina Madden's 2019 Dodge Challenger is more than just a car: It's her way of keeping her father's memory alive and close.

"My brother had gotten my dad a Challenger, and when he passed, he said it was supposed to go to me, but my brother ended up with it," Madden said. "I decided I wanted a purple one, and I put the white Mopar on the side of it. When my dad retired, he became a pro golfer and I wanted to dedicate it to his memory."

From her hair color to her seat covers, Madden said that everything she owns is purple. One of her favorite pieces of the car is the TY Beanie Baby cat that rides along with her- of course, it is purple and Madden said that they even share a birthday.

My High School Sweetheart: 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

Tony Fink said he bought his first 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme while he was in high school.

"We had to sell it, of course, the family had started to grow. In 2005, we wanted to bring back the car we got married in. We found the car in New Mexico, brought it home and took it down to the frame for a complete restoration. We brought back our high school sweetheart."

Fink said that he has done all of the work, including all of the welding, sheet metal work, body work, and paint. The restoration began in 2015, and finished up last summer.

"It took me five years to finish it. I brought it out in '19, at the Dayton All Wheels. Last year was a total loss for shows, but I managed to finish up all of the work."

Waitsburg's Classic: Bert Baxter

Waitsburg's very own classic car enthusiast, Bert Baxter, never misses a chance to show off his favorite cars.