Classic cars draw a crowd

Coordinators of the Camas Car Show couldn’t have planned a more perfect day for the 14th annual classic vehicle show, which took place from 3 to 8 p.m., Saturday, June 29, under a sunny sky on the streets of historic downtown Camas.

Thousands gathered to view the more than 200 classic cars and trucks on Northeast Fourth and Fifth Avenues and connecting side streets Saturday.

“Wow! What a show. The diversity and quality of the cars that came were amazing,” the Downtown Camas Association (DCA) posted on its Facebook page directly after the event, before thanking the car owners, visitors, volunteers, sponsors, merchants, vendors and entertainers “that made this event so spectacular.”

DCA Executive Director Carrie Schulstad said the event was a success, with between 5,000 and 6,000 people in attendance throughout the afternoon and evening and 150 children participating in the coloring contest.

Schulstad said the show featured 250 classic vehicles and 103 of those were new this year.

Hosted by the DCA, the annual classic car show is a benefit for the Camas-Washougal Treasure House Food Bank. Visitors got in for free, but were asked to donate two cans of food to receive a free raffle ticket for prizes donated by DCA business members.

This year’s event also featured live music by Bluez Cruizer, dance performances by Virtuosity Performing Arts Studio, a children’s coloring contest, balloon art by Joe Mishkin and various food vendors.

Prizes awarded for everything from ‘best pre-1950s’ to ‘best backside’

Camas Mayor Shannon Turk presented a “Best in Show” award to this year’s overall winners, Sam and Cherrie Melton, for their blue 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback. That car will be featured on the 2020 Camas Car Show promotional materials and posters. Justin and Holly Shropshire’s 1951 Ford F1 won the “People’s Choice” award.

DCA merchants also awarded top prizes to their favorite vehicles, with a moment of levity coming from Bryna Sampey, a lactation consultant and owner of Doula My Soul in downtown Camas, who awarded her trophy to the owners of a “milky white” car.

Other winners included:

* Brian and Traci Stafford for their 1970 Buick GS 455 (Best Original American)

* Scott Ekman for their 2010 Dodge Challenger RT (Most Creative Paint)

* Paul Le for their 1999 Indian Bobber (Best Bike)

* Paul Baker for their 1937 Buick Business Coupe (Most Authentic Vintage)

* Dennis Helland for their 1963 Chevy Nova (Most Original Paint)

* Mike Caccacci for their 1937 Ford Slant Back (Best Pre-1950s)

* Paul Pierce for their 1971 Ford F100 (Best Ford)

* Dan Kendall for their 1940 Ford Pickup (Best Custom)

* Lloyd and Anna Fry for their 1960 Chevrolet Corvette (Shiniest on the Block)

* Jody Schultz for their 1957 Ford T-bird (Best Daily Driver)

* Robert Mathis for their 1970 Chevy Nova (Best Wheels)

* Tim and Michelle Crase for their 1962 Chevy Suburban (Best Work in Progress)

* Denny and Bobby Martin for their 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible (Best Chevy and Best Interior)

* Richard and Janelle Cummins for their 1948 GMC Pickup (Top Truck)

* Steve and Carolyn Chaney for their 1954 Chevy Corvette (Best Topless)

* John and Katy Cooper for their 1948 Dodge Deluxe Sedan (Best Mopar: Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth)

* Carol Prather for their 1958 Chevy Impala (Best Backside)

* Austin Hays for their 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia (Most Racy Import)

* Regan Keeth for their 1973 Plymouth Barracuda 340 (Best Muscle Car)