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The Pismo Beach Classic Show is one of the most exciting vintage and street rod shows in Central California. It is held annually at the Downtown Pismo Beach, right by the pier.
The show, traditionally held on Father's Day weekend, has been around for 22 years and attracts hundreds of vehicles, from restored 1940's Chevrolet trucks to blinged-out F150's, during its 3-day revelry.
Began in 1985, the show brings in vehicles and attendees from all over the United States. It plays host to mostly American cars from Model T's, 1930's roadster,50's muscle cars and even brand new Corvettes although it is open to all entrants. Past shows have seen several classic British models among the displays.
The event starts with registration for the participating car owners and a leisurely drive around the streets of Pismo Beach. Locals flock to the sidewalks and the town teems with vendors and merchants during the parade.
Walking around the car show itself, which begins on Saturdays at 9 am, will treat you to a sea of cars with their gleaming structures and muscular engines, lining up the event floor and showing off to the thousands of attendees and about 40 judges for the event. There are different classes of competition, including Platinum Class, Gold Class, and Best Of The Show, with all previous winners listed on the event's website. Prizes are awarded during a ceremony on Sundays.
The last event was held this June, featuring over 1200 participating cars and attracting over 100000 attendees, more than five times the entire population of Pismo Beach. The show raised over $50,000 for the Loma Linda Veterans Hospital to help soldiers injured in the Iraq war.
While the highlight of the event has always been the beautifully-restored vintage rods, several novelty cars featured over the years have become popular among the attendees as well including:
* a Volkswagen van sawed in half and modified to become a mini-van
* genuine CHP patrol cars
* celebrity limousines
* this year's 2001 Ford F-150, littered with 36 speakers and 20 monitors throughout its shell
All in all, the event showcased close to $50 million dollars worth of automobiles and were graced by very special guests, the nationally-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, who led the Saturday night closed cruise throughout the town. The event is organized by Joe Rivera, whose parents started the original Pismo Beach Classic show and ran it for over a decade. He took over the event 6 years ago.