Havasu Classic Car Show Slated for October

Relic and Rods Annual Run to the Sun, held at Lake Havasu City, Arizona is slated for October 15 through 19th, 2008. Since 1977 the popular, annual classic car show has been held at the desert community, and is sponsored by Lake Havasu City's local Relics and Rods car club.

Run to the Sun will be open to entrants with vintage vehicles manufactured in 1972 or older. The Nautical Inn and its 18 hole golf course, located on the Island, will be the site of the event. This year's participants will be given the opportunity to reserve their parking spaces during registration, for a $10 fee. This will eliminate entrants having to line up late at night to get spots on Friday and Saturday. Reportedly there will be some 600 reserved spaces available.

Relics and Rod's 2007 Run to the Sun brought in 964 entries, with 29 different makes of vehicles. Entrants came from about 20 states, along with entries from Australia, Germany, and the Canada Provinces of British Columbia Ontario.

2008's classic car show event kicks off on Wednesday, October 15, with registration beginning at 9 am. On Wednesday evening there will be a catered Kick-Off Party for the early arrivals. The Kick Off Party will allow the entrants to meet and mingle. The following day there will a poker run to Parker, Arizona, with the traditional Uptown Cruise on Lake Havasu City's McCulloch Blvd. later that evening.

The Uptown Cruise Night is a popular feature of the car show, allowing Lake Havasu residents and visitors to stroll up and down Main Street (aka McCulloch Blvd.) and check out the parked classic cars, and chat with car and truck owners. Unlike the Show and Shine portion of the event, there is no charge for spectators. Reportedly there is a change to the Cruise Night, and only vehicles who have registered for the show will be permitted to park on this stretch of McCulloch Blvd. Apparently some entrants in the past were unable to participate, as spaces were occupied by non-entrants.

Friday and Saturday will be the Show and Shine at the Nautical Inn Golf Course, overlooking Lake Havasu. Entrants will proudly display their classic vehicles, and unlike the Uptown Cruise, there will be an admittance fee for spectators. Included in the show is a vendor area, featuring food, drink and auto merchants. There will also be games, 50/50 drawings and prizes.

On Friday evening there will be a banquet for the participants, which will be held at the Convention Center. Later that night there will be a live concert, featuring the Tornados.

On Saturday morning there will be a fashion show held at the Convention Center, with the award ceremony scheduled in the afternoon. One of a kind Kachina Trophies will be awarded to the top ten vehicles, and to the winners in each of the 30 classes. Trophies will also be awarded for vehicles chosen by the sponsors, along with members of the community and club officials. The Kachina Trophies are handcrafted by Northwest New Mexico's Navajo Indians and each trophy is unique.

The final day of the event, Sunday, October 19, will feature a parade down McCulloch Blvd.

Car enthusiasts who would like to enter their classic vehicle can call (928) 855-0933. Entry fees received prior to October 1, 2008 are $70, and $80 after that date. The first 1,000 entrants will receive a dash plaque and a souvenir mug. All entrants will receive two meals at the Wednesday Kick-Off Party and two meals at the Friday Banquet, a custom Run to the Sun T-Shirt, Beverage Tickets, 2 Arm Bands for the Show & Shine along with tickets for the Fashion Show, the Poker Run, the Cruise Night, Friday's concert, and Sunday morning's parade. Entrants will also be eligible to win prizes.

All proceeds from the Relics and Rods Run to the Sun classic car show are donated to local charities.