Return to Renton Car Show, an event that is no longer just for gear heads. People come from as far away as California and Canada but also mostly from the Puget Sound, area organizers say.
“The car shows aren’t just for the hot-rod guys anymore; it’s men and women and they bring their families and they bring their dogs,” said Ryan Runge, Return to Renton committee member. “They stay all day and they have a picnic or they go and have lunch at a downtown restaurant.”
Sunday, July 10, marks the Return to Renton Car Show’s 21st annual event and it’s fourth year at the downtown Renton location. The move downtown has increased attendance because of the show’s proximity to other downtown amenities.
As of June 15, the committee had 110 people pre-register their cars, which is more than normal. Committee members are expecting 300 to 400 cars to be on display at the event.
Street closure begins east of Morris Ave South on South Third Street and stops at Main Ave South on South Third Street. Closures affect the cross streets from South Fourth Street to South Second Street.
About 50 to 75 percent of the cars are hot rods or classic cars made between the 1930s and 1970s, with the rest being newer cars, motorcycles and trucks. There has been a surge in the last few years of import cars, said Runge.
“They’re really works of art; it’s like going to an outdoor art museum to a lot of people,” he said.
There will be about 20 categories for judging the vehicles from the serious such as “Best Paint” and “Best Engine” to the fun: “Groovy Graphics,” “Favorite to Play in the Dirt With,” “Ride I’d Sell My House For,” and “Favorite Orphan.”
Last year “Best of Show” went to Dan Claudon and his 1937 Ford Convertible, while the “Participant’s Choice” went to Dick and Maria Elliot for their 1954 Ford F100.
“As far as the gamut of different types of car shows, I think we fall into something that people really have a good time at because we get a huge array of different types of cars,” said Runge. “But also we’re taken seriously because we sustained being a quality car show for 21 years.”
The last couple of years have been very successful and the committee is expecting even more people to attend the show this year.
There will be 15 to 20 vendors from food to retail booths. Organizers limit the amount of food booths available to encourage visitors to check out downtown restaurants and shops.
There will be a deejay giving out prizes during the day, a raffle and trophies for the category winners who will be announced at 3 p.m.
All proceeds from the event go to the Renton Police Department Youth Programs. Runge estimates that the show has raised more than $100,000 for the programs over the years.
The youth programs sponsor a number of events that give back to the community and pays for things like soccer jerseys to basketball camps and “Night Outs” that teach young men table manners, they have suit fittings and mock job interviews.
RETURN TO RENTON CAR SHOW
WHAT: A car show with food and retail vendors in the heart of downtown Renton.
WHEN: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., July 10
WHERE: Street closure begins east of Morris Ave South on South Third Street and stops at Main Avenue South on South Third Street. Closures affect the cross streets from South Fourth Street to South Second Street.
COST: Registration is $20 per vehicle
MORE INFO: Visit www.gorenton.com/play/returntorentoncarshow
