Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
The annual Hot Rod Gathering went off in Palouse under a hot sun last Saturday, June 3. The event showcased pre-1965 traditional hot rods, jalopies, kustoms, sleds, bobbers and choppers.
About 80 cars lined Palouse's Main Street and both sides of Beach Street.
Rolling Hills Derby Dames helped park cars and gave a scrimmage demonstration while the Cold Rail Blues Band and Bare Wires played music.
“It was a good time had by all,” said Marc Van Harn, Knuckle Skrape'Rs club member, which puts on the annual gathering. “Cool cars, good music, great food. We're just throwing a big party for hot rods.”
Dropping the category from pre-1973 to pre-1965 for the third year, Saturday's show reached its initial goal. Entries were originally extended by seven years to pay for bands and allow for more cars.
After nearing or reaching maximum capacity of 130 cars the past five years, this year's total was down.
Originally, the Palouse Hot Rod Gathering was the only car show in the area the first weekend of June. In recent years, others have started, however, including two in the Spokane area and Rosalia's rising Battle Days car show.
In Palouse, the focus is owner-built and driven vehicles.
Eligible entries for the no-prizes, no-classes Hot Rod Gathering again featured no “billet barges” or “trailer queens”– referring to those with metal modifications bought off the shelf, as opposed to an owner fabricating the pieces themselves.
“Trailer queens” are vehicles not driven to the event.
The Knuckle Skrape'Rs are a Palouse-based hot rod club with members throughout the quad cities area.
Photos and on-the-scene reporting by Mike Neves.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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