Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Trailer queens and billet barges promise to be lonesome this weekend, barred once again from Palouse’s 11th annual Knuckle Skrap’Rs Spring Barbecue and Hot Rod Gathering.
Jalopies, Kustoms, Lead Sleds, Choppers, Bobbers and traditional hot rods will instead be on hand for Saturday’s event, which hit its capacity of 150 vehicles three years ago. The milestone prompted organizer Marc Van Harn to drop the entry-year limit to 1965 models, from the previous ’73, to not turn people away.
For spectators and drivers, CD’s Smoke Pit of Moscow will serve Texas-style barbecue pulled pork while the Cold Rail Blues Band again performs, followed by the Intentions, another Moscow-based act who will make their Hot Rod Gathering debut.
“Something different,” Van Harn said.
The Rolling Hills Derby Dames return to assist with parking in the morning before the day’s official start at 11 a.m.
They will perform a demo near 2:30 p.m.
“Around there,” Van Harn said. “Sometimes the bands play a little longer or a little less. We’re not that uptight.”
The new Palouse Caboose Bar and Grill will run a beer garden, and a professional pinstriper will be on site to stripe cars, both in the show and out.
Official event T-shirts will be on sale for $13.
Additional attractions will be Fade Master from Lewiston, Idaho, with a haircut booth, hot rod photography from Retro Studio of Athol, Idaho, and exhibits from Vintage Velocity Rods of Palouse – the event’s co-sponsor, and Hells Gate Hot Rods from Viola, Idaho.
The day culminates a year’s worth of preparation, marking steady growth in vehicles and spectators since the first year of 36 cars in 2004.
Now the Hot Rod Gathering draws a large contingent of drivers from southern Idaho and another group from the coast.
“I started it because I wanted to have a party at my shop with hot rods,” said Van Harn, who will display his 1928 Hudson and 1956 Cadillac Sedan Deville Saturday.
To monitor it all on event day, Van Harn is often seen on roller skates.
Cars pay a $10 entry fee and there are no prizes.
Billet barges refer to vehicles with solid pieces of metal bolted on the sides. A trailer queen is a car that’s not driven to a show, but instead is transported on a trailer.
The show in Palouse caters to only hot rods built (or fixed-up) and driven by their owners.
“We are firm believers in building what you drive and driving what you build,” said Van Harn.
Since both Palouse’s Main Street and Bridge Street are state highways, their detours have to accommodate semi-trucks, limiting the available stretch of downtown to two blocks – and thus room for 150 cars.
The Intentions will bring a repertoire ranging from The Band and Linda Ronsdadt to U2. On lead guitar and vocals is Bill Thompson, Prosecuting Attorney for Latah County.
“We will play an eclectic mix of at least our favorites,” said bass player Mark Hellinger of Farmington.
The day concludes at 6 p.m.
“It’s a good time,” said Van Harn. “We always pack ‘em in.”
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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