Classic cars and watercross overtake Elma

Many events and activities taking place in Elma, Aug. 5 and 6.

Elma was the place to be this weekend with a car show and free kids’ carnival downtown, a Jet Ski race at Vance Creek Park, an early Saturday morning fun run and races at Grays Harbor Raceway later in the day.

The eighth annual Heat on the Street car show brought in cars, trucks and motorcycles and a couple thousand spectators, said organizers from the Elma Chamber of Commerce. The show began on Friday, Aug. 5, with a cruise in and poker run.

On Saturday, Aug. 6, Main Street was blocked off and filled with 275 restored, classic, vintage, hot rod and custom vehicles. Vehicles ranged from a lifted 1979 Ford F250 to a 1969 Volkswagen Baja Bug to a 1957 convertible Ford Fairlane Skyliner, and everything in between.

Vintage and custom motorcycles also were on display. DJ Spody played music and emceed the event, announcing raffle prize winners throughout the afternoon. Vendors sold food and merchandise and the aroma of grilled hot dogs wafted down Third Street.

“We ran out of hot dogs earlier,” Russ Hedman, grillmaster of Semper Fi Marines, said. Hedman, of Silverdale, carefully checked the temperature of each dog, as his group purchased more frozen hot dogs to sell to the waiting crowds.

“There’s a lot of people here,” Paula Jones of the Elma Chamber of Commerce said. “It’s been wonderful and everyone is saying they’re having a good time.”

Jones said the Heat on the Street is a big day for Elma businesses with many people downtown, eating, drinking and shopping.

Kids flocked down Third Street to a free carnival, presented by the East Grays Harbor Transformation Team, a group of eight local churches. Carnival coordinator Val Mowers, of the Northwest Life Center in Elma, said about 300 children attended the event in its fourth year.

The kids ate hot dogs, listened to two live bands, played different carnival games, painted rocks for Grays Harbor Rocks and got soaked in a mini drive through car wash.

“The Grays Harbor Rocks painting station was a new addition this year. It’s so popular,” Mowers said.

Darcy Dotson, of Elma, and her family spent Saturday morning participating in the Anytime Fitness Feet on the Street fun run. Later in the day, the Dotsons checked out the car show, where daughter Cora admired a pink motorcycle with flames on it.

“It (Heat on the Street) just keeps getting better and better,” Dotson said.

People danced to a band playing in the beer garden by the Alibi Station. Even after the car show wound down in the afternoon, the revelers at the Alibi continued on.

Fans of a splashier kind of vehicle streamed into Vance Creek Park for the Grays Harbor Watercross Jet Ski races, also on Saturday. Monte Hughes, of Olympia and one of the WaterX race organizers, said the rider count for the races was about 50 to 55, roughly the same as when the first watercross race was held in April. A professional Jet Ski rider wowed the crowed earlier in the day with his freestyle tricks, Hughes said.

Winners of Heat on the Street

Chuck Chambers, Aberdeen, 1967 Chevy Chevelle, Muscle Car Award byAnytime Fitness of Elma

Gary and Ruth Braack, Aberdeen, 1934 Dodge Vista, Magnificient Masterpiece Award by Timberland Bank, Elma Branch

Zach Jones, Montesano, 1968 Chevy Camaro, Unfinished Award by Jason Olsen/Edward Jones Investments

Kory Kingery, Aberdeen, 1942 Dodge “Rat Truck,” Rat Rod Award by Sideline Auto Wrecking

Kory Kingery, Aberdeen, 1942 Dodge “Rat Truck,” People’s Choice Award by Bayview Building Materials

Dick Ewing, Elma, 1958 Chevy Corvette, Pro Street Award by Cut Rate Auto Parts

Bob and Jill Jordan, Shelton, 1957 Ford Fairlane Skyliner, Best Convertible Award by Les Schwab Tire Center of Elma

Bret Sukert, Montesano, 1932 Ford 3 Window, Vintage Car Award by Dennis Company

Bruce Jones, Montesano, 1932 Bantam Roadster, Best Powerplant Award by Magic Auto Repair

Ron Vansycle, Olympia, 2000 Indian Custom, Custom Motorcycle Award by Summit Pacific Medical Center

Manual Chavez, Elma, 1932 Indian Scout, Vintage Motorcycle Award by Custom Security

Kelly Dick, McCleary, 2013 Honda Fury, Late Model Import by Rainier Connect

Mike and Paula Lake, Matlock, 1952 Willys S.D. Delivery Special Entry by Jodesha Broadcasting, Inc.

Don Brenenam, Fort Mohave, Ariz., 1940 Buick, Longest Distance Traveled by Umpqua Bank

Midnight Cruizers, Aberdeen, Best Car Club Representation by Our Community Credit Union

Jim Swift, Olympia, 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, Late Model Domestic by East County Automotive, LLC

Wes and Karen Crate, Tumwater, 1950 Plymouth Suburban, Custom Truck Award by Sunrise Auto Body

Jason Poukkula, Montesano, 1951 GMC 3100, On the Ground Award by Holly Pierce/Independent Scentsy Dir.

Mike Pena, Lilliwaup, 1923 Ford T-Bucket, Cool Custom Award by Precision Plumbing

Cory and Tamara Holcomb, Elma, 1969 Chevy Camaro, Restored Original by Propane, Etc.

Frank and Dawn Clark, Shelton, 1956 Chevy Pickup, Best Paint Award by Billy Bob Customs

Jack Van Scholack, Ocean Shores, 1955 Chevy Pickup, Pro Touring Award by B & B Automotive, Inc.

Les Foss, Montesano, 1941 Chevy Coupe, Best Flames Award by Five Star Dealerships

Classic cars and watercross overtake Elma
Classic cars and watercross overtake Elma
Classic cars and watercross overtake Elma
Classic cars and watercross overtake Elma
Classic cars and watercross overtake Elma
Classic cars and watercross overtake Elma
Classic cars and watercross overtake Elma