[Gallery] The Hotrod-A-Rama

Chadly Johnson

11 Aug 2021

Click Here to Begin Slideshow If you have never attended a true traditional hot rod show, you may be shocked as the format of a typical car show certainly does not apply. Traditional car shows are very unique and unlike a standardl car show for several reasons. There are no classes, you can park where you want. Instead of being 6 classes away from your buddies car, you can park right next to each other...no problem. There are no trophies, so you don't have to spend all day polishing your car, but instead you can actually focus on enjoying the car show. Oftentimes car clubs in attendance will make homemade trophies for things such as “Best Chop Top '' and present it to the owner, or just simply set it on the seat of the car. No big ceremony, no applause, just recognition that your peers approve of your blood & sweat labor. The shows tend to start later in the day, and last well into the night. There is almost always really good live music, and a swap meet. Yeah traditional shows are cool, and laid back..the types of shows you can really fall in love with. In the Pacific NorthWest there was just such a show, and it was known as the Hotrod-A-Rama. The event had a great run from 2002 to 2010, then sadly shutdown. The name of the show was often still spoken of by those who had attended, and by those who wished they had. To the delight of the masses it was announced that the Hotrod-A-Rama would triumphantly return for 2021, and like a ghostly ghoul rising up from the grave, it would be known as the The Resurrection. The small town of Pendleton, Oregon was chosen for the new location of the show. Pendleton's central location to all the major metros in the PNW was a key factor, but also that fact that it is simply a really cool town with tons of character, gorgeous architecture, along with great restaurants and bars. There was an army of people who made the return of the show a huge success, but there are 3 key people I want to mention. Dale Seahol and Hugh Tucker Jr. were the two major organizers of the show, along with Rodney Bullington, who is the proprietor of the Oregon Grain Growers Distillery. The distillery was a sponsor and major hub/hangout for the show and its activities. The Hotrod-A-Rama was not a one day venue, but a four day event. Things got rolling on Thursday with a “Meet & Greet'' which combined car culture and socializing. After everyone got acquainted, they loaded up as there was a “Run to the Drive-In'' cruise hosted by the Aces & Eights car club to the Milton-Freewaster Drive-In movie theatre. The amazing old theatre holds approximately 300 cars, and the lucky participants inside viewed the classic movie “The Giant Gila Monster.” The drive-in felt like a cool step back in time with vintage cars lined up to watch a vintage movie. Friday morning launched early with the swap meet where hot rodders offered up their treasures to eager show goers hunting for the perfect piece to finish a current build, or start a new one. As the swap was ending, the actual Hotrod-A-Rama show was officially starting in 4 specified parking lots in gorgeous downtown Pendleton. The lots quickly filled with an incredible display of era correct hot rods and customs. Every single car at the show belonged, and that is not something you can commonly find at shows striving for a traditional theme. We were burning up the digital film with so many great cars blending in so beautifully with their settings. Friday came to an official end with a bbq feast, and an ice cream social that was held at the distillery. The ice cream was an extra special treat considering the extremely warm temperatures felt during the day. The distillery was the hub for cars hanging out deep into the night. It seemed everyone wanted to take a photo of their ride in front of the beautiful old dealership with its glowing backlit sign...we know we got plenty of images there. Saturday once again began with the swap meet, then the action returned to downtown. There was a park-like setting along the Heritage Station Museum with plenty of nice shade trees where 5 bands kept show goers entertained all day. The day was very relaxing and one you didn't want to come to an end. As the sun began to drop some cars made their way into the streets of downtown. We really fell in love with this area of Pendleton as it provided shade and a cooler climate, then, once the sun faded and the neon lights came one...it was a photographer's dream land!! It was a really perfect evening that lasted into the morning hours for some. The weekend came to a casual end as groups of hot rods gathered at the various restaurants serving up hot breakfast and hotter coffee. It was a great send off to everyone for a weekend that we wanted to keep going. If you have never attended a traditional hot rod show...give the Hotrod-A-Rama a try, we think you'll love it. One thing is for sure, we will be back next year, and we hope to see you all there! Click Here to Begin Slideshow

[Gallery] The Hotrod-A-Rama — Click Here to Begin Slideshow If you have never attended a true traditional hot rod show, you may be shocked as the format of a typical car show certainly does not apply. Traditional car shows are very unique and unlike a standardl car show for several reasons. There are no classes, you can park where you want. Instead of being 6 classes away from your buddies car, you can park right next to each other...no problem. There are no trophies, so you don't have to spend all day polishing your car, but instead you can actually focus on enjoying the car show. Oftentimes car clubs in attendance will make homemade trophies for things such as “Best Chop Top '' and present it to the owner, or just simply set it on the seat of the car. No big ceremony, no applause, just recognition that your peers approve of your blood & sweat labor. The shows tend to start later in the day, and last well into the night. There is almost always really good live music, and a swap meet. Yeah traditional shows are cool, and laid back..the types of shows you can really fall in love with. In the Pacific NorthWest there was just such a show, and it was known as the Hotrod-A-Rama. The event had a great run from 2002 to 2010, then sadly shutdown. The name of the show was often still spoken of by those who had attended, and by those who wished they had. To the delight of the masses it was announced that the Hotrod-A-Rama would triumphantly return for 2021, and like a ghostly ghoul rising up from the grave, it would be known as the The Resurrection. The small town of Pendleton, Oregon was chosen for the new location of the show. Pendleton's central location to all the major metros in the PNW was a key factor, but also that fact that it is simply a really cool town with tons of character, gorgeous architecture, along with great restaurants and bars. There was an army of people who made the return of the show a huge success, but there are 3 key people I want to mention. Dale Seahol and Hugh Tucker Jr. were the two major organizers of the show, along with Rodney Bullington, who is the proprietor of the Oregon Grain Growers Distillery. The distillery was a sponsor and major hub/hangout for the show and its activities. The Hotrod-A-Rama was not a one day venue, but a four day event. Things got rolling on Thursday with a “Meet & Greet'' which combined car culture and socializing. After everyone got acquainted, they loaded up as there was a “Run to the Drive-In'' cruise hosted by the Aces & Eights car club to the Milton-Freewaster Drive-In movie theatre. The amazing old theatre holds approximately 300 cars, and the lucky participants inside viewed the classic movie “The Giant Gila Monster.” The drive-in felt like a cool step back in time with vintage cars lined up to watch a vintage movie. Friday morning launched early with the swap meet where hot rodders offered up their treasures to eager show goers hunting for the perfect piece to finish a current build, or start a new one. As the swap was ending, the actual Hotrod-A-Rama show was officially starting in 4 specified parking lots in gorgeous downtown Pendleton. The lots quickly filled with an incredible display of era correct hot rods and customs. Every single car at the show belonged, and that is not something you can commonly find at shows striving for a traditional theme. We were burning up the digital film with so many great cars blending in so beautifully with their settings. Friday came to an official end with a bbq feast, and an ice cream social that was held at the distillery. The ice cream was an extra special treat considering the extremely warm temperatures felt during the day. The distillery was the hub for cars hanging out deep into the night. It seemed everyone wanted to take a photo of their ride in front of the beautiful old dealership with its glowing backlit sign...we know we got plenty of images there. Saturday once again began with the swap meet, then the action returned to downtown. There was a park-like setting along the Heritage Station Museum with plenty of nice shade trees where 5 bands kept show goers entertained all day. The day was very relaxing and one you didn't want to come to an end. As the sun began to drop some cars made their way into the streets of downtown. We really fell in love with this area of Pendleton as it provided shade and a cooler climate, then, once the sun faded and the neon lights came one...it was a photographer's dream land!! It was a really perfect evening that lasted into the morning hours for some. The weekend came to a casual end as groups of hot rods gathered at the various restaurants serving up hot breakfast and hotter coffee. It was a great send off to everyone for a weekend that we wanted to keep going. If you have never attended a traditional hot rod show...give the Hotrod-A-Rama a try, we think you'll love it. One thing is for sure, we will be back next year, and we hope to see you all there! Click Here to Begin Slideshow

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