2026 Rotary Car Show kicked into high gear with record attendance

||| FROM BARBARA MARRETT for SAN JUAN ROTARY |||

Chrome, camaraderie, and community spirit were all in overdrive as August’s 18th Annual Rotary Car Show rolled into San Juan Vineyard. More than 500 spectators from across the country came to admire a dazzling line-up of 65 classic, custom, and innovative vehicles.

The show helps fuel important 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.

It was a celebration of history, horsepower, and imagination. Live music by the rock band Bar Code kept folks dancing, Rotarian Scott Sluis kept the day rolling as MC, DJ Mike Duncan of Miked up Productions filled the musical gaps, and a BBQ lunch plus Chilly Willey’s Ice Cream kept everyone smiling from burger to bumper.

Award Highlights

• Best of Show – Nigel Starr, 1970 Datsun Roadster 1600 “Velma”
• People’s Choice & European Car: Barney Cohen’s 1967 VW Samba Microbus
• American Sedan: Kara Smith, 1941 Ford Super Deluxe
• Alternative Fuel Vehicles: Ben Hempstead, VW Baja EV Bug   
• Custom Modified Hot Rod: Ron Williams, 1970 Plymouth Duster   
• Motorcycle Division: Bernard Juchli, 1958 Ariel Square 4
• Pre-WWII Vehicles: Jerry Alhadeff, 1928 Model J Logger
• Trucks: Michael Corliss,1951 Chevrolet Truck
• Agricultural Division: Craig Starr, once again won this division with his 1929 Hart-Parr
  12-24 Tractor and entered 7 other vehicles in different categories.

Community Support
Rotary extends heartfelt thanks to San Juan Vineyard for providing such a spectacular venue. Other Major Sponsors: PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center, Heritage Bank, Roche Harbor and Island Petroleum Services, Starr Excavation, and Frank & Barbara Fagan.

Other generous sponsors include:
Bakery San Juan • Banner Bank • Bellagrey Boutique • Browne’s Home Center • Current Classics • Discovery Sea Kayaks • Earthbox Inn & Spa • Friday Harbor Drug • Friday Harbor Electric • Friday Harbor Eye Clinic • Friday Harbor House • Green Man Landscape & Design • Harbor Rental & Saw Shop • Harborstone Credit Union • Inter-Island Propane • Island Hearing and Healthcare • Island Home Finishes • Karl Eberhard, Architect • Kings Market • M & W Auto Sales & Rentals • Ray’s Pharmacy • Safe Harbor Insurance • San Juan Interiors • Sotheby’s Island Group • Susie’s Mopeds • Tammy Cotten Insurance• Windermere Real Estate.

Thanks, also to our judges-waiting on names and Lion’s Club members who lent a hand.

Giving back is fun!
Join our team. The Rotary Club of the San Juan Islands welcomes new members. To learn more, visit https://rotaryfoundationsanjuanislands.org or contact Membership Chair Richard Corak email: threeofhearts4ever(at)comcast.net or (253) 224-4846.