The sounds of the Everley Brothers, Elvis and Buddy Holly on the loudspeakers perfectly blend with the revving of car engines and the smells of food vendors. It is a party.
It is the 37th annual "Ol' Marais River Run" car show in Ottawa, Kansas.
Held on the grounds of Forest Park in mid-September, it is an ideal setting.
The park has 57 acres of lawn with row after row of mature oak and walnut trees.
There is plenty of shade for the proud owners of the nearly 2,000 classic cars as they chat with onlookers or swap stories with other enthusiasts about the virtues of a flat-eight engine versus a V-8 and a variety of other gearhead topics.
Most of the cars have their hoods open so you can see the spotless details of their restored engines. It seems that the mechanical components are of paramount importance, at least to the enthusiasts.
Having once owned a beautiful 56 Chrysler, I know how important it is to have mechanical skills when owning a classic car. I did not. I always kept a bicycle in the trunk for when the car stopped running. That car and I reluctantly parted ways as a practical matter. The design style and sculptural beauty of these cars appeals to me.
For that reason, I think the array of classic cars would look better with the hoods down, but that would leave all the skill and hours of hard work hidden under the hood. It is a source of pride and you want to show it off.
These cars have character and style. They were designed and maintained by humans, not computers. Truly something to appreciate.
Classic car shows occur everywhere. They are a fun place to walk around, meet neighbors and hear stories about things people are passionate about. In fact, this Saturday, Sept. 28th, the Lawrence, KS car show (Rev It Up Car Show and Street Festival) is taking place just a couple of blocks north of our store. It is another opportunity to admire the classic car styles and the dedication it takes to keep them running. As the signs will say, "look but don't touch."
Take a walk with Birkenstock.
