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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 2017)
22 // COASTWEEKEND.COM Wheels and Waves kicks into gear Seaside car show runs Sept. 7-10 By KATHERINE LACAZE FOR COAST WEEKEND A s summer draws to a close, Seaside will once again provide the back- drop for a gathering of vintage car enthusiasts who enjoy a little sand and surf with their hot rods and convertibles. Scheduled in September, part of the “shoulder season,” the Seaside Downtown Devel- opment Association’s annual Wheels and Waves car show prompts visitors and locals to visit downtown and celebrate show-quality cars manufac- tured in 1965 or earlier. “It’s hard to think of it as being in the off-season, because it’s so busy now that everybody thinks it’s still SUBMITTED PHOTOS The annual Wheels and Waves car show, presented by the Seaside Downtown Development Association, is a celebration of show-quality vehicles made in 1965 or earlier. summer — but it wouldn’t (be busy) without the car show,” said Keith Chandler, chair of Friday and Saturday. The orga- nization was given a van that’s been painted matte black and primed for children to decorate with chalk art throughout the event. The Kid Zone will offer drawing sheets as well. SDDA’s Car Show Commit- tee. This year’s Wheels and Waves is scheduled for Thurs- day through Sunday, Sept. 7 through 10, and will feature all the traditional festivities: the Coastline Poker Run, Thurs- day afternoon’s Senior Cruise to Seaside’s three retirement facilities, and the Downtown Cruise. However, the development association is constantly look- ing to add new features, and this year is no different, said Sarah Dailey, the organiza- tion’s executive director. For families with young children, the event will include a Kid Zone in Sponsor Alley, set up on North Edgewood Street from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Slow drag demo Organizers are especially looking forward to what’s coming Sunday morning: a trial run of slow drag racing. The demonstration will take place at 10 a.m. Sunday along Edgewood and Oceanway streets, behind the Seaside Civic & Convention Center. In short, slow drag racing involves drivers — two cars at a time — revving their engines, accelerating for a set distance, and then coasting to 20 LANDSCAPE $ BARK (U-HAUL) per yard WARRENTON FIBER 861-3305 Mon-Fri, 8 am -5 pm 389 NW 13 th St. Warrenton ABOVE: The public is invited to view the cars at this year’s Wheels and Waves from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday. LEFT: During the annual Wheels and Waves car show, car owners sometimes go all out, creating themes centered around their special vehicles. get the front wheels and axle over the finish line, without going too far. The catch is they must slow down without using brakes. Various ways to accom- plish that feat include opening the vehicle’s doors; sticking umbrellas or blankets out the window; or whatever other creative ideas racers can generate. This year, SDDA is hoping to recruit 10 to 12 car owners during registration who are willing to take part in the demonstration. By next year, the organization plans to establish a specific set of rules regarding the slow drag, as it will be a competitive event anyone can enter, Dailey said. She added that, in general, they want to expand the offer- ings Sunday mornings to en- ergize the crowd and increase the value of staying in Seaside the extra Saturday night. “We’re trying to add more interesting things for both the car participants and for the spectators,” she said. Detailing the event During Wheels and Waves, Broadway, from Holladay Drive to the Turnaround, and portions of connecting streets will be closed to general motor vehicle traffic until after the Downtown Cruise, which takes place from 5 to 5:45 p.m. Saturday. The public can view cars for free during the Show & Shine, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Live music will be provid- ed by The King Brothers, a band from Kelso, Washington, that plays rock n’ roll oldies from the ’50s through ’70s. They will perform on the street outside Dundee’s Bar & Grill. The organizers feel several various components create the car show people have come to know and love. “You got the setting in downtown, which is fantastic; you got some spectacular cars; and what I like is listening to the crowd,” Chandler said, adding, “There is a lot of reminiscing going on … It’s just a fun time, a friendly atmosphere, and at a very reasonable price.” CW
