It turned from "show and shine" to "show and squeegee" at Mills Park Saturday during the Silver Dollar Car Classic. Overcast skies let loose on nearly 300 cars.
"It's a shame," said Fran Caloiaro of Carson, peeking out from under her umbrella. "They put so much work into getting these shows together and to see this happen it's too bad."
Bill Coyle had just come down from an area known for rainy weather.
"I spent a week in Oregon and Washington and it was absolutely the most gorgeous weather you ever saw," he said while tucking a tarp over his brother's open-top roadster. "We didn't see bad weather until we got to Nevada."
But it didn't rain for long at the park -- soon car owners were running squeegees over their polished Pontiacs, Buicks, Fords and Oldsmobiles and drying them off.
The weather didn't dampen the enthusiasm of Carson's Gordon Wendel. Wearing a Mopar T-shirt, Wendel carried his black toy Chihuahua, Crystal, among the polished cars and bikes.
"This is an outstanding show," he beamed. "I got here at 6:30 in the morning so I could get under the cottonwoods and have shade from the afternoon sun."
The trees did provide shelter for him and his '72 Dodge Charger -- shelter from the drizzle.
Under a tent in the vendors area Dominic and Pam Arraiz offered their custom infants sunglasses and wine glasses with cars as their base.
"Now they're spotted," said Dominic after the rain stopped. "We'll have to wax them."
The couples' 6-month-old twins, Steven and Nicholas, were patriotic in red, white and blue U.S.A T-shirts.
The boys modeled their parents' sunglasses for little ones called "Jazo Shades." They have an adjustable neoprene strap rather than plastic ear hooks.
"We haven't been selling too many shades because it's not sunny," Pam Arraiz said.
Across the grass Gert Lehman and Art Winston were judging cars.
"We're hoping that was the last of it," said Winston after the sprinkle.
He said the rain drops on polished cars act like little magnifying glasses and will leave a mark when they dry.
"We're so busy judging other people's cars that we don't have time to go dry off our own," he said.
The turnout was a little lower this year, according to Vivian Davies. She and her husband, Bob, organized the ninth-annual Silver Dollar Car Classic.
"It's down a little because of the weather," she said.
Helping her out at the organizers' tent was Joy Evans of the convention and visitor's bureau. They described some of the events that will happen today as the car show continues including the Million Dollar Poker run, steak barbecue and awards ceremony.
The day starts with a breakfast made by the Dayton Township Kiwanis Club.
"It's an awesome breakfast with huge pancakes, a slice of ham, scrambled eggs and your choice of drinks," Evans said.
What did Evans think of the weather?
"Just wait 15 minutes and it'll change."
IF YOU GO
What: Silver Dollar Car Classic
When:
-- 8 a.m. Lyon County Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast
-- 8-10 a.m. Registration. All Day Craft, Food, Music and Display Events
-- noon-3 p.m. Barbecue and Awards Ceremony
-- 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Show & Shine
Where: At Mills Park, the Pony Express Pavilion and Champion Speedway
Info: 687-7410
ON THE NET
www.silverdollarcar.com/
