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Capitola Shifts into Gear for the Rod and Custom Classic Car Show
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Capitola Shifts into Gear for the Rod and Custom Classic Car Show
By Michael Thomas
On Saturday, May 20, more than 250 vintage vehicles will rumble into the Capitola Village in a “classic cruise” from the Santa Cruz Wharf to kick off the First Annual Capitola Rod and Custom Classic Car Show. For one day, the Esplanade and nearby streets will be converted into a beachside showcase of chrome and steel that organizers expect will dazzle locals and visitors.
The show is intended to start off the Village’s summer tourist season with a pre-Memorial Day boost. It’s also a major fundraising opportunity for the event’s co-organizers, the Capitola Public Safety Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce.
Central Fire Chief Bruce Clark, a member of the Foundation, said the idea for a car show in the Village first emerged in late 2001 when he was putting together fundraising efforts for victims of the Sep. 11 terrorist attacks. At the time, Aaron Cushman of the preeminent car club Camsnappers met Clark and suggested a show. However, liability insurance and other complications initially put the brakes on the plan.
“It just wasn’t the time for it,” Clark explained. “It’s been about a four-year process to make this happen.”
This year, the show came to fruition thanks to the help of a long list of business sponsors from within the Village and beyond. Online, classic car chat rooms buzzed with people discussing the event.
So far, 210 of the 270 vehicle slots have been reserved.
“We have done almost no publicity and this thing is [about] full,” said Christian Thompson of the Capital Quorum, who is current president of the Public Safety Foundation.
Thompson said that about 20 new vehicles are being registered each week, and the vendor spots are full, so it appears certain that the turnout will be strong.
The vendors will mostly be of interest to the automotive gearhead. T-shirts and racing performance parts will be on display. A NASCAR chassis builder is coming to show off his custom components.
Wine and More
The show will feature more than cars. Numerous local vintners will also be offering samples of their wine. But you won’t see a slew of food vendors.
“We are not selling concessions,” Thompson said. “We want people to go into our local businesses.”
Much of the revenue from the event is expected to come from donations and registration fees, which are $50 per automobile. In keeping with the laid-back, beachside atmosphere, there won’t be a best of show. Instead, a slew of sponsors will be walking the rows and selecting favorite vehicles for prizes and trophies.
The Capitola/Soquel Chamber of Commerce has been handling much of the organization for the event, including registration of vehicles and vendors.
“Everybody is really excited about it,” said Chamber Director Toni Castro.
The Foundation’s primary task has been to line up sponsors.
Capitola Police Chief Rick Ehle, who also plays a leadership role on the Public Safety Foundation, said that planning for the event has come together smoothly considering there was only six months to prepare. In the next couple weeks, his department will notify residents and property owners of street closures.
The Esplanade, Monterey Avenue and San Jose Avenue will all be closed on the day of the event and parking lots at the Capitola Theatre and the Mercantile will also be used to display vehicles.
“It will be a little bit of an inconvenience but it’s only one day,” Ehle said.
If you leave your vehicle parked in the event area, it will not become an automatic entry in the car show. It will be towed when setup for the show begins at 5 a.m. on May 20.
Proceeds Benefit Foundation and Chamber
The proceeds from the car show, after expenses, will be split between the Chamber and the Foundation. The Public Safety Foundation has so far mostly focused on disaster preparedness and services for the elderly. However, a $5,000 Foundation donation did help Capitola’s police force replace its only K-9 officer earlier this year.
The funds could go towards expanding the emergency kit program or purchasing additional defibrillators to be installed in public locations in the City.
The Chamber hosts a number of free community events throughout the year, including an Easter egg hunt, the Art and Wine Festival, the Halloween parade, and the kite-flying contest. Castro said the Chamber is called upon for help of all kinds, including assistance for families during the holidays.
“The funds will go right back into the community,” she said.
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