Shiny cars fill Lampe Park

MINDEN - Lampe Park was brimming with shiny classic cars Sunday during the 14th Annual Valley Cruisers Main Street Event. About 270 cars filled the tree-lined park for this year's show put on by the Valley Cruisers Car Club Association, established in 1987.

Justin Hubbard, seemed to know his cars - or at the very least, which ones looked pretty. The 2-feet-tall, 3-year-old from Gardnerville scurried from polished car to polished car, stopping long enough to put his hands on his hips and stare at his reflection in the paint.

When asked what his favorite was, Justin leaned over to accommodate the kneeling adult and pointed across the park.

"Firetwuck," he said in a matter-of-fact way, pointing out a 1957 Seagrave fire engine. Without another word, Justin turned and left to continue his jaunt through the rows of cherry classics.

The three-day event kicked off Friday with a barbecue and street dance. Saturday's happenings included a pancake breakfast, Show and Shine and raffle. Sunday's events included another pancake breakfast, a Poker Run and an awards presentation.

"A lot of money we make off of this goes back into the community," said Archie Reed, a member of the Valley Cruisers. "It stays right here at home."

Reed said the club of about 65 families does more than just show cars.

"We do cruises, barbecues and clean up two-mile stretches of the highway."

The cars competed in a total of 25 classes, with between one and three trophies awarded per class. Reed said cars ranging in years from 1928 to 1969 were represented at this event.

BREAKOUT:

And the winners are:

- Best of Show: Hugh Despain, Gardnerville, '56 Ford pickup.

- Longest Distance: Tom and Cynthia Thibodeaux, Glendora, Calif., 358, '59 Chevy.

- Best Engine: Richard Chrzanowski, Carson City, '48 Chevy pickup

- Best Interior: Bob and Cathy Ford, Carson City, '37 Ford Sedan Delivery.

- Club Participation Trophy: The Motherlode Cruisers from the Truckee Meadows .