Cruisin' Harrington draws visitors galore

Cruisin’ Harrington

With nearly perfect weather for the Saturday event, the only hitch in the plans was the incorrect forecast of rain in varying percentages as the day approached. Many antique auto enthusiasts do not turn out to events when rain could alter their beautiful shines. With activities in Spokane and Wilbur competing for crowds, Harrington seemed to attract its fair share of participants and on-lookers.

Car show

This was the 4th Annual Classic Car Show promoted by Allan Barth of the Studebaker Garage in conjunction with the Harrington Chamber of Commerce. Barth also held a barbeque at the north entrance to his shop. Prizes and trophies were awarded in various categories. Items were raffled at the close of the event.

Approximately 100 classic cars and trucks and a few motorcycles were in town for Cruizin’ Harrington with 60 entered for the judging. Entries came from as far away as Coquitlam, British Columbia and Culdesac, Idaho. Awards for pre-World War II vehicles: 1st was Ken Connel’s ‘37 Chevy; 2nd was Jim Tefft’s ‘26 Studebaker Fire Truck (he drove it from Culdesac); and 3rd was Mike Kelsey’s ‘36 Ford Coupe. Awards for post-World War II vehicles: 1st was Pat Gies’s ‘59 GMC Pickup; 2nd was Chuck Clark’s ‘59 El Camino; 3rd was John Pence’s ‘50 Desoto. Awards for vehicles from the 1970s or newer: 1st was R.G. Parks’ 2011 Mustang and 2nd was John Russle’s 1982 El Camino. Jeep Awards: 1st was Brandon Miller’s 2001 Jeep and 2nd was Jim Wilcox’s 1999 Jeep. The Tractor Award went to Lance Wagner’s John Deere B. The Rat Rod Award: 1st was Lara Lee Wilson’s 1946 Ford pickup and 2nd was Eldon Wilson’s 1929 Ford pickup. The Best of Show trophy went to Ken Connel’s 1937 Chevy.

Music

The “Riley & Friends Jazz” group played inside the Studebaker Garage where tables were set up for people to sit and eat BBQ burgers and hot dogs prepared on site. Later in the day, the jazz group moved to the Community Church for a concert to benefit the Harrington Opera House renovation. Initial plans had the event slated for the opera house auditorium until it was realized that the refurbished floors were not going to be properly cured by the event date. The church had been the location for the quilt show earlier in the day with volunteers putting more than 40 quilts on display as well as a wide assortment of wall hangings, table runners, throw pillows and an antique Teddy Bear.

Vendors

Opera House Square, a graveled area formerly the site of the Adams Mitchum building (1901-1986), attracted a nice flow of foot traffic, modestly better in the afternoon than in the morning. In addition to the bake sale by the Harrington women’s softball team, the following vendors sold their wares: Wendy McElroy (Baby Kisses Dolls), Kimberly Clark, Scentsy (wickless candles), Kathi Thompson (crocheted wears), Heather Slack (home crafts), Lindsey Reyes (Thirty-One), Sue Shear (hand-painted items), Douglas Johnson (Bible info), Emily and Beth Oestreich (handmade baby items), Nancy Goehn (baby gift baskets), Diane Foley (home crafts) and Victoria Iverson (Miche purses). At mid-afternoon many of these vendors were carrying food from the three food vendors: John Dempsey, Levi Fiadley and Allen Barth of the Studebaker Garage. Dempsey is the new owner of the former Harrington Haus and he sold out his BBQ ribs, corn on the cob and beans before the event was over. Barth also sold out by late afternoon. Fiadley remained open until 6:30 when the wind began gusting.

Art Show

The Art Room of the Opera House had a steady stream of viewers for photography displays by C. Edwin Haugan, Stacey Timm Rasmussen, Karen Robertson, David Michaelson and Skip Smith. Next door was the Rummage Room selling items by donation with proceeds going toward the elevator fund for the Opera House. Using this room for rummage sales has resulted in the most successful income production for the elevator, with more than $500 donated for the one-day event. At the close of the day, several yard sale leftovers from around town were donated to the Rummage Room for its next event.

Rusty Lark

The weekend’s events included the grand opening of the Rusty Lark, located in the same block as the Studebaker Garage. Amy Foley has her small shop full of artistic and beautifully re-purposed home furnishings.

Golf course

The Harrington Golf and Country Club had RSVP dinners with 60 registered, and an additional crowd of hungry customers were served a dinner of prime rib with baked potato/creamed peas and new potatoes, pasta salad/broccoli salad, rolls and lemon dessert/carrot cake.

Beer Garden

This was the first year for the inclusion of the Beer Garden, which was sponsored by the Lincoln County 4 x 4 Club. It was set up in the parking lot next to the old Electric Service Station across Third St. from the Studebaker Garage. The flow of brew was slow until the sun crossed the noon mark in the sky and the thirst quenchers began to indulge. At 6:30 the events all about town had closed, but the activity in the Beer Garden continued until nearly 8 p.m.

School events

The PTA functions at the school were the annual rummage sale at which they believe they “did very well.” Carolyn Mattozzi made Italian sodas and quit counting after the first 50 were served.

There were a dozen registered yard sales which kept the flow of people moving about town.

The Fourth Annual Car Show dubbed “Cruisin’ Harrington” was a fabulous success. A survey of the private businesses and their sales was not conducted.