Parkrose Festival and Cruise-In on a roll

We’re giving you here the chance to look in on this event, if you missed it – or re-live the fun, and great vehicles on display, if you didn’t – at this great outer East Portland event …

From classics to customs, hotrods to antiques – the city-blocks-long 2009 Parkrose Festival and Cruise-in had them all. We thank Andrew Brown of Davey Organicare for this great view from their lift bucket.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Eighth Annual Parkrose Festival and Cruise-in has become more than a car show, since it expanded into a festival – it’s an event that attracts folks from miles around.

Started several years ago by the Parkrose Business Association, the event has been their premiere event for funding graduating Parkrose High seniors’ scholarships.

PBA president Wayne Stoll of Century Associates pitches Blow-up Car chances and raffle tickets, driven by Sam Sundeleaf, owner of Sundeleaf Panting Inc.

City Celebs see sizzling hot selection of cars
The 2009 edition of the Parkrose Festival and Cruise-in was held under clear, blue skies bringing unusually warm temperatures on August 1. But, the cruise-in attracted a sizzling selection of vehicles of all kinds, displayed along five blocks of NE Sandy Boulevard in downtown Parkrose.

“This is a terrific event,” said Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish with a smile. “This is how a cruise-in should be, right on the street, here in the Parkrose Business District.”

Portland City Commissioners Dan Saltzman and Amanda Fritz enjoyed the Parkrose Festival.

Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, after strolling through the event, told us, “There are an amazing number of really nice looking cars here. This is a great community event. Even more, I’m very impressed with the scholarship program that the Parkrose Business Association has established.”

And, Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz attended the greater portion of the event. “I’m really enjoying this; what a great day. I didn’t bring my ‘zebra car’; somehow it seemed inappropriate.”

Fritz said that, for her, watching the “Blow-up Car Contest” was one of the highlights of the day. “In England, we don’t bet on how long it takes for a car engine, drained of oil, to so seize up.” She added that while she appreciated the fact the Portland Police Bureau East Precinct officer took a turn in the dunk tank – in full uniform – she was glad she wasn’t called upon to do the same.

Jon Preston, with his kids Sam, Nick, and Jack, and Brian White with daughter Angelina, take a look at the impressive vehicles on display.

Fritz continued, “And, it was a pleasure giving awards to people for their fine automobiles, trucks, and other vehicles they had on display, along with Dr. Karen Fischer Gray, Superintendent of the Parkrose School District, and with some of the students who were honored with scholarships. The association volunteers are keeping the business district vibrant, and I also applaud their scholarship program of many years.”

LeeAnn Bruner, of LA Signs, the chair of this year’s event, said she was pleased at the turnout. “I’m so thankful to all of our volunteers who pitch in and make this event possible. We all do it because we love and support our community.”

Parkrose Festival & Cruise-in photo album

Arnie Lindstrom, a Parkrose High grad (Class of 1944) cooked up delectable Swedish pancakes at the Harmoni Club booth.

The event’s coordinator, LeeAnn Bruner, of LA Signs, checked the Blow-up Car board, looking the perfect time to select as her guess.

Gail Bash of Jackpot Corp. – the originator of the Parkrose Cruise-in – started a car drained of oil, to run at full throttle until the engine seized. The person whose guess for how many minutes and seconds it ran that way won the contest.

Throughout the day, Shane Hollingsworth cooked burgers and dogs for hungry attendees.

Butch & the Buicks paused for a moment, as they played one good ol’ rock-and-roll oldie after another.

Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Officer Greg Baldwin took a turn in the Dunk Tank!

Master airbrush artist Victor Covington of AirPrint showed off his artistry. He did custom shirts for cruise-in entrants during the show.

PBA President Wayne Stoll and treasurer Marsha Lee with Copy Express (this year’s cruise-in registrar) called names of the trophy winners.

Ed McLarty picked up Best Engine, Best Interior, and Best Paint awards for his entry from Parkrose School District Superintendent Dr. Karen Fischer Gray.

Adding a fourth trophy to his collection at this cruise-in – Best of Show – Ed McLarty, was congratulated by the title sponsor of the event, Rex Hollingsworth, of Rex Heating & Air Conditioning.

Here’s Ed McLarty with his 1932 Ford Pickup truck that swept the awards this year.

Meet the Parkrose Business Association
You can meet the members of this great business group at their next monthly meeting on September 17 at 11:30 a.m.

They get together at the Holiday Inn Airport 8439 NE Columbia Boulevard (in the hotel building, around the back at the Flirt’s entrance – not the Convention Center next door). The meeting is free, and the buffet lunch is $18including dessert and gratuity; reservations are NOT required. For more information, see their web site: www.parkrosebusiness.org.

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