While many gearheads in the Twin Cities will get a chance to check out the ChehalisFest car show this weekend, those out in East Lewis County and beyond are invited to bring their customs and classics to the 33rd annual Packwood Summer Rod Run on Saturday, July 25.
The Packwood Summer Rod Run starts with the car show on Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Cowlitz River Lodge, located at 13096 U.S. Highway 12 in Packwood.
Along with the car show, vendors such as “El sazón Oaxaqueño will be on site again with tamales, tacos, corn in a cup, street corn, chicharrones and fruit water available for purchase,” according to a social media post.
Various prizes will be raffled off, including a mini-mechanics tool box with custom pinstripe painting done by F.T.W Pinstriping, owned by Carlos Trevino Jr., of Yakima. Custom pinstriping services will also be available on-site during the car show.
Additionally, car show attendees both young and old are invited to bring their favorite die-cast toy cars to race against each other.
“Hot Wheels drag racing will be one of our games,” Packwood Summer Rod Run organizers said on Facebook. “If you have a favorite Hot Wheels car, bring it and see if you can smoke the competition. If you don't have a favorite Hot Wheels vehicle, we'll have some spares.”
The winners of the car show will be featured on the shirts for next year’s show. This year’s shirt features last year’s best of show and peoples’ choice winners — Shawny Fredricks’ 1971 Volkswagen Bus and Mike Williams’ 1931 Packard convertible.
Following the car show, a block party street dance with live music will be held from 7 to 10 p.m.
The 33rd annual Packwood Summer Rod Run ends on Sunday morning with the traditional poker run drive.
For more information on the Packwood Summer Rod Run, email Ironsmithdave@gmail.com, or message the organizers on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/packwoodsummerrodrun/.
