Show, Shine, Shag, & Dine event begins today

By Saturday, the Downtown Garnett Street area and side streets of Henderson will be turned into a pedestrian mall filled with some of the finest hot rods, muscle cars, and restored antique autos in the Southeast.

No, you haven’t taken a turn into the Twilight Zone, but rather the yearly Show, Shine, Shag, & Dine event sponsored yearly by the Vance County Department of Tourism.

The event kicks off today at 12:00 p.m. with a Barbecue Cookout for Show, Shine, Shag & Dine and East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame guests, sponsored by the Superior Chrysler Dodge Jeep Dealership.

For Hall of Fame inductees and car show guests there will be Manager’s receptions at all host motels, the Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, and Jameson Inn. Guests can also attend one of the “cruise-ins” at the Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre or Sonic.

Registration for the show begins at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 20, and the show runs through 4:30 p.m.

Throughout the day entertainment will be provided by DJ’s. From 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. there will be a live musical show by “Al Williams and the Assembly Band”.

On Saturday night, guests of the show will be cruising around town on their own or attending one of the cruise-ins at the Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre or Sonic.

This fifth annual event has grown to become one of the east coast’s premier drag racing nostalgia attractions.

Highlights of the event include:

Johnny Rocca’s, “Tin Indian” – The first Blown Pro Mod, 1933 Willys has been restored and will be unveiled Saturday, October 20th at the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame & Reunion in Henderson, NC. The owner Aaron Pilatzke announced today he will bring the car from Canada to Henderson. Johnny Rocca will also be attending the event to reunite with fellow racers and fans.

One of the East Coast’s strongest running AA/Altereds was the Pacers entry from Oceanside, NY. The ’23 T roadster featured a belt-driven blower on a 392-ci gas-burning Chrysler, and the car was a consistent winner.

The Pacers Altered will be unveiled October 20, 2007 at the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame & Reunion. The restored Altered, the original driver/owner, George Snizek (Snizek & Charlie Dodge) and his crew members will reunite in Henderson, NC. The new owner, Jerry Joaquin will bring the car from Arizona to be displayed for fans and fellow racers to see.

Bobby Lee will have his original Thundershifter on display at the show.