Start your engines!

Get your fill of four-wheeled beauties at two classic car shows in Petaluma this month

May 3, 2006

Local car enthusiasts will get their fix of hot wheels and sweet rides at two classic car shows taking place this month in Petaluma.

The rubber meets the road on May 6 for the Cruisin' North Car Club's second annual Classic Car Show being held at the Petaluma Plaza and Plaza North shopping centers on the corner of North McDowell Boulevard and Washington Street.

Owners of foreign or domestic 1979 or older classic car, truck or motorcycle owners are invited to participate in the show, which begins at 10 a.m. in the shopping center's parking lot rain or shine.

Merchants of the Petaluma Plaza and Plaza North shopping centers will select their favorite classics and present trophies at 3 p.m. Parking begins at 7 a.m. and all participating vehicles must be parked by 10 a.m. Cruisin' North Car Club will present a club participation trophy for the club with the most members present. Registration is $20.

In addition to the show, there will be music, a sidewalk sale, vendor booths and model car racing sponsored by HobbyTown USA. A raffle benefiting the McDowell Drug Task Force is also planned.

For full details on the car show, call 579-9667 or visit www.cruisinnorth.org.

The four-wheel festivities continue May 20 with Petaluma's Salute to American Graffiti beginning with an American Graffiti extravaganza.

Sponsored by the non-profit group Cruisin' the Boulevard, the event kicks off with an outdoor car show at the Petaluma Village Premium Outlets, followed by an evening cruise down the same streets highlighted in the 1973 film "American Graffiti."

Last year's event, which featured two of the original cars used in the movie, 175 other restored classics and the appearance of "American Graffiti" actor Paul LeMat, got publicity far and wide, and car enthusiasts from as far away as England and New Zealand are planning to come this year, according to John Furrer, president of the Cruisin' the Boulevard group.

Already, Cruisin' the Boulevard plans to donate proceeds to Petaluma People Services Center's Meals on Wheels program, the Petaluma Police Department's bike helmet safety efforts and Petaluma Sunrise Rotary's heart defibrillator project, but the group says other charities can also apply for funding.

The day begins with the KZST Super Cruiser Contest from 7 to 8 a.m. and includes appearances by movie stars Paul Le Mat, Candy Clark, Bo Hopkins and Manuel Padilla Jr.

The '55 Chevy and '32 deuce movie cars will be on display. Festivities also include live music, contests and a silent auction beginning at 1 p.m. An awards ceremony takes place from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

The celebration begins downtown at 3:45 p.m. with a Hands of American Graffiti ceremony at Jerry's Cherries Used Car Lot on Petaluma Boulevard North. The four stars from "American Graffiti" will place their handprints and signatures in wet concrete, which will be placed in the sidewalk in front of Boulevard Cinemas.

The classic cars cruise begins at 5 p.m. on Fourth and Kentucky streets. Registration for the cruise is now closed, but locals can enjoy the view, meet with the "American Graffiti" stars and check out some of the actual cars used in the film.

A street dance featuring Johnny B & The Speedshifters will take place from 5:45 to 8:15 p.m. on Western Avenue between Kentucky and Keller streets.

For more information and full schedule of events, visit www.american-graffiti-salute.com/news.html.-->

CRUISIN' THE BOULEVARD

What: "Petaluma's Salute to American Graffiti," a car show and cruise

When: May 20, 2006

Where: Petaluma Village Premium Outlets and downtown streets

More information: call 763-6315, e-mail dadeeooh@netzero.net or write Cruisin' the Boulevard, Inc., 1165 San Rafael Drive, Petaluma, CA 94954