SEQUIM — Larry Perry has been dreaming about having a car show in downtown Sequim for a decade.
He discussed with his wife, Lynda, for years about how to get it together and make it a reality.
In 2016, he asked Judy Reandeau Stipe, volunteer executive director at Sequim Museum &Arts, to be a partner in the event, and it evolved into a fundraiser for the museum.
“Going forward to obtain a permit, the biggest ‘car show in downtown Sequim’ began to take shape and dozens have been working long hours to pull this together,” Reandeau Stipe said in a news release.
Sequim Prairie Nights will be from 9 am. to 4 p.m. Saturday on Washington Street between Sequim Avenue and Third Street.
“The merchants love it because no outside vendors will be on the two blocks of Washington Street … where the cars will be parked on display,” Reandeau Stipe said. “Shopping, food and everything will be right on our Main Street, so it is an opportunity for everyone to see what we offer downtown.”
The car show will be an occasion to remember the lives of Peninsula businessmen Louie Rychlik, who died Aug. 9, 2016, and Nick Schumacher, who died in July.
Both were car lovers whose old vehicles were selected for the graphics of the car show.
The 1950 white Mercury on the poster for the show is owned and has been restored by Bobby Rose of the 1950s singing group The Pretenders.
Rose will be live on KSQM from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Announcements will be made throughout the day about winners of drawings.
A presentation of tools will be made to the Sequim High School auto shop at the bandstand on Washington Street and Second Avenue at noon.
Tickets are being sold to support the cause, and the winner with the lucky ticket will win a Sequim Police metal “kiddie car.”
Other tools, gift certificates and prizes will be up for grabs during the day’s drawings.
The star of the show, Reandeau Stipe said, is a drawing for the Gull gas station sign that stood on Washington Street for years.
“The sign remained for years after the service station was gone,” Reandeau Stipe said. “Competition for the sign has taken on a life of its own.”
Olympic Mountain Dancers will perform at 2:30 p.m., and Port Scandalous Roller Derby members will be on site during the show to sell drawing tickets.
A 30-mile cruise will follow the end of the car show, and maps will be available both before and during the show so onlookers can see the parade of vehicles at their best: on the road.
“Music, entertainment, drawings and lots of beautiful cars to see in one central location is our goal,” Perry said.
He plans to attract an array of vehicles both from within the Olympic Peninsula and beyond to stir the “old car” feelings in everyone.
Tickets are available at Sequim Museum &Arts, 175 Cedar St., open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Saturday.
Bruce Lindquist and Rich Odem have been organizing the event for months to coordinate this effort.
For more information, see www.sequimprairienights.org or email info@sequimprairienights.org.
