||| FROM BARBARA MERRITT for ROTARY CAR SHOW |||
Under clear skies and warm breezes, the 17th Annual Rotary Car Show drew record crowds and fundraising success at San Juan Vineyard on August 10. Over 500 spectators from across the country enjoyed a stunning line-up of 74 classic and innovative vehicles, while net proceeds supported key community causes including the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center, 36 Weekends (Nutrition for Island Children), PolioPlus (Rotary International’s global polio eradication effort), and the Rotary Foundation of the San Juan Islands.
The show featured an exciting variety of vehicles that highlighted humor, history, and innovation.
Award Highlights
- Best of Show & 1st Place – Truck Division: John Moalli’s 1956 Willys Jeep, painted transport yellow..
- People’s Choice & 1st Place – European Car: Barney Cohen’s 1962 Porsche 356 twin-grille Roadster – a rare gem, with only 248 ever made.
- American Sedan: Cheryl Gossman, 1965 Ford Mustang.
- Alternative Fuel Vehicles: Bruce Nyden, 2008 Tesla Roadster #101.
- Custom Modified Hot Rod: Lee Collyer, Custom Purple Ranch Wagon.
- Motorcycle Division: Leslie Brenan – built to sizePre-WWII Vehicles (new category): Town of Friday Harbor, 1923 Cadillac Firetruck.
- Tractor Division: Craig Starr, who entered four of his 16 tractors. His 1926 Farmall won 1st Place, while his 1923 Buick Touring Car also placed 3rd in the Pre-WWII category.
Featured Exhibits
- Tesla Roadster #2, owned by Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard, was on display. Eberhard also served as a professional judge, alongside Ben Hempstead of EV Conversions & Restomods.
- A replica of the 1965 Shelby Daytona Coupe, which won that year’s World Sports Car Championship, was generously transported from La Conner by builder Stu Gustafson.
Live music by the rock band Bar Code kept the crowd dancing, while Rotary President and MC Scott Sluis entertained throughout the day.
Community Support
Rotary extends heartfelt thanks to San Juan Vineyard for providing such a spectacular venue, and to more than 40 local sponsors, including:
Town of Friday Harbor Lodging Tax Grant • Bakery San Juan • Banner Bank • Bellagrey Boutique • Browne’s Home Center • Discovery Sea Kayaks • Earthbox Inn & Spa • EV Conversions & Restomods • Farmers Insurance/Tammy Cotten • Friday Harbor Drug • Friday Harbor Electric • Friday Harbor Eye Clinic • Friday Harbor House • Green Man Landscape & Design • Harbor Rental & Saw Shop • Heritage Bank • Inter-Island Propane • IPS (Island Petroleum Services) • Island Group Sotheby’s • Island Hearing Healthcare • Island Home Finishes • Karl Eberhard, Architect • Kings Market • Linda Chowdry, Author • M & W Auto Sales & Rentals • PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center • Printonyx • Ray’s Pharmacy • Roche Harbor Resort • Safe Harbor Insurance • San Juan Interiors • Sandstrom Law • Savi Bank • Sotheby’s Island Group • Star Surveying • Susie’s Mopeds • Tammy Cotton Insurance • Walden Restaurant • Windermere Real Estate • and many others.
Who says giving back can’t be fun?
The Rotary Club of the San Juan Islands is always looking for new members. To learn more, visit https://rotaryfoundationsanjuanislands.org or contact Membership Chair Holly Henry at hollywhenryrxtra@gmail.com.
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