PORT ANGELES — Shiny chrome fenders, big block engines and whitewall tires will be on display in all their glory today during the 20th annual Ruddell Cruise-In.
The event, which is free and open to the public, is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the 5 acres of Ruddell Auto Mall, 110 S. Golf Course Road.
“This year, we would estimate that we are going to have just over 3,000 people and between 300 and 400” classic custom cars and hot rods on display, said Howie Ruddell, owner and general manager of the dealership.
U.S. Highway 101 will look “like Radiator Springs from the movie ‘Cars,’” he said. “People love to see it. It should be a lot of fun.”
No preregistration is required to show a vehicle at the event, although vehicles must be 1975 models or older.
Live music, a dunk tank and food are also part of the cruise-in.
“It is kind of like a giant block party,” Ruddell said.
Local notables
At the dunk tank, revelers will have a chance to dunk local public figures, including Terry Ward, publisher of the Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum.
“He has volunteered to go into the dunk tank,” Ruddell said.
Proceeds from tickets sold at the dunk tank, owned by the dealership, will be split between the Captain Joseph House Foundation — a Port Angeles nonprofit created to lend support through a respite house to the military families of those lost in the line of duty — and the Volunteer Firefighters Association.
“It is two great causes and something everybody can get behind,” Ruddell said.
Event organizers have purchased about 500 event T-shirts that also will be used to raise money for the Captain Joseph House Foundation, Ruddell said.
T-shirts are available for the suggested donation of $15 for adult size or $10 for a child’s size.
“I think they are going to be very popular,” Ruddell said. “This is just another thing we can do to help out.”
Weekend kickoff
The cruise-in is a kickoff for the Old Timers Northwest 48th annual Rod Run and Rally taking place today through Sunday at the Clallam County Fairgrounds, 1608 W. 16th St., and throughout downtown Port Angeles, Ruddell said.
The theme of this year’s rally is “The Dukes of Hazzard.”
The event at the fairgrounds is not open to spectators, organizers said, only to participants who have registered with the club, which is based in Bremerton.
Registration is open to any owner of a pre-1964 automobile, said Jerry Scott, Old Timers Northwest event director.
An average of 150 vehicles enter the rod run and rally each year. Scott said.
The entry fee for the weekend event is $25 per vehicle and includes access to a poker run followed by a show ‘n’ shine static car display in downtown Port Angeles on Saturday, as well as live music and a dinner Saturday evening, Scott said.
Registration for locals can be completed during the Ruddell Cruise-In, he said.
Information about the time and location of the various events will be available during registration.
The car club has been making annual treks to the North Olympic Peninsula for decades, partnering with the Ruddell family for the past 20 years to attend the Ruddell Cruise-In, Scott said.
“They have come up for many years, and to kick off their weekend festivities, we host the cruise-in on Friday night,” Ruddell said.
For more information, visit www.oldtimersnorthwest.com.
Economic impact
The influx of visitors participating in the annual event provides a major shot in the arm for the local economy, Ruddell said, adding that visitors stay at area hotels, eat at restaurants and shop at stores.
“The economic impact of the cruise-in is pretty neat,” he said. “It also brings out local people, and they get involved and are doing more stuff in the community.
“It is just a great thing all around.”
For more information, call 360-452-6822.
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Reporter Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
