HOT RODS, COOL RIDES CONVERGE IN OC

H ot rods, street machines, muscle cars, customs

Annual car show draws thousands of the East Coast's most attractive vehicles to the Shore for weekend of "Cruisin'" and classics will be cruising through town this weekend as part of the 19th annual Cruisin' Ocean City.

One of the top automotive events in the country, the fourday show, which began Thursday, will feature more than 3,000 cars, a Boardwalk parade, entertainment, celebrity guests and representatives from premier manufacturers across the country.

According to co-organizer Meredith Hennen, Cruisin' reached its maximum capacity in mid-April, a personal record as the show doesn't usually fill up until the week before.

"Cruisin' has become one of the largest celebrations of American automobiles. People are starting to realized the show sells out so they are registering earlier," Hennen said. "The whole city turns into a car show. Driving through the streets takes you back in time."

Friday's Cruisin' events will begin with a Boardwalk parade at 8 a.m., followed by car shows all weekend at the inlet parking lot and at the convention center on 40th Street.

This 1950 Ford Coupe, owned by Bob and Jean Waid of Ocean Pines, was one of thousands on display during the 18th annual Cruisin' event. More than 3,000 hot rods, classic cars and custom rides are expected to take part in this year's show at the inlet parking lot, in top photo, and at the concention center. A Salute to the Services "Red, White and Blue" Cruisin' parade, honoring the military, EMS personnel, police officers, firefighters and rescue workers, will kick off Saturday's festivities at 8 a.m.

The Cruisin' Grand Car Show is new this year and will take place in the ballroom

at the convention center today and Saturday. Nine hot rods will go head-to-head for a $500 prize. The winner will be chosen by spectators. A donation of $500 will also go to the American Cancer Society in the winner's name.

This year, some of the top national manufacturers in the hot rod industry, including AAA, American Autowire, Barry Grant, Billet Specialties, Flaming River, Flowmaster, Ford Motorsports, GM Performance, Goodmark, Luxford Auto Parts, Maryland Lottery, Master Formula, Meguiar's, Miller Electric, Roush Performance, Royal Purple, Slide-Lok, Spectre Performance, Uncommon USA and Valspar House of Kolor, will be at the show.

Cindy Williams Street Rodder Magazine had made Cruisin' one of its Road Tour stops this year. The publication will do a feature on the event.

Express Auctioneers will again host a hot rod and muscle car auction today (Friday) at the convention center. Last year, approximately 70 automobiles went across the auction block and Hennen expects about the same for 2009. A preview of the cars to be auctioned off will begin at 9 a.m. The live auction is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Visitors to Cruisin' will have the chance to meet Cindy Williams, otherwise known as Shirley Feeney of "Laverne & Shirley." Williams was also on "Happy Days" and in the hot rod movie, "American Graffiti." Jon "Bowzer" Bauman, formerly of the band Sha Na Na, will also be on hand this weekend to greet event attendees.

Bauman and his band, the Stingrays, will perform during Bowzer's Rock N' Roll party on Saturday at the convention center. Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon and The Dovells will also take the stage. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts at 8 p.m.

Jon "Bowzer" Bauman Tickets cost $35 and are available at the convention center box office or by calling 410-723-8620.

Cruisin' Ocean City hours are Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the inlet and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the convention center. General admission costs $10 per day and $30 for a weekend pass. Children under the age of 14 are admitted free with a paying adult.

In addition to the two main event sites, nearby restaurants and businesses will also sponsor their own cars shows. Many will even provide entertainment and offer awards for participants:

n The Harley-Davidson of Ocean City, off Route 50 in Berlin, will have car shows nightly throughout the weekend. The May 15 event will feature automobiles built in 1958 and newer. On Saturday, trailer trash, high performance and street rods will be showcased. Both shows are 5-7 p.m. Only cars registered with Cruisin' will be judged.

n The Classic Cruisin' XIX Car Show will take place at the Ocean City Factory Outlets today (Friday) from 9 a.m. until noon. Owners must sign up between 9 and 11:30 a.m. to participate in the contest and be eligible for awards. The winners of five "Outstanding Show" awards and one "Best in Show" trophy will be chosen by Don Klein, owner of Shoreline Auto Sales in Newark, Md. The first 75 cruisers to register will receive a commemorative dash plaque, shopping bag with coupons, complimentary raffle ticket and the Outlets' Preferred Shopper card. DJ "Hey Mick" will provide the musical entertainment. Many of the stores will offer sales during the event, and the Original Smith Island Cake Company will offer free coffee, breakfast pastries, cake samplings and giveaways at the store from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Proceeds raised from the car show will be donated to the Maryland Lower Shore Special Olympics.

n Berlin will host a car show Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the historic downtown area. Main Street will be closed to accommodate the classic cars. Prizes and trophies will be awarded.

n The Rods & Rockers on Wheels car show is set for 1-5 p.m. on Saturday at the Steer Inn Tavern, on Route 589 just south of Ocean Pines. The show is open to hot rods from the 1970s or earlier, antique cars, rat rods, rat bikes, trucks and specialty vehicles exhibiting the classic styles of the era. Vehicles will be hand-selected to participate in the show, which is taking place in the yard behind the tavern, by the employees of Loaded Gun Custom Cycles in Selbyville, Del.

Loaded Gun will present custommade trophies, made from old car parts, to the top cars in the show. There will also be a fashion show at 3 p.m. featuring the Lucky 13 clothing line, followed by a pinup contest during which women can vie for the title, "Most Fashionable Rockabilly Girl." Anyone is eligible to enter and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place.

DJ Bigler will play tunes from the '50s and '60s throughout the event, and there will be a $12 all-you-can-eat picnic buffet and airbrushing demonstrations. Rockabilly favorites Full Blown Cherry will perform that evening at 9 p.m.