Crazy Days showcases classic cars July 15-16

Everyone is invited to attend Crazy Days on July 15 and 16 for a combo festival of events that will be one for the city’s history books.

The traditional Crazy Days street fair is sponsored by La Grande Main Street Downtown, and it will be joined by the 14th annual La Grande Classic Car Show, organized by the Timbers Cruisers Car Club led by president Richard Comstock.

Arlan Miesner, a charter member since the club’s formation in 2006, is the car show chairman. The club has about 25 members.

“We started our car shows in Elgin at Riverfest at first. Now our only annual car show is in La Grande during Crazy Days,” he said.

Crazy Days has something for everyone, including its customary sidewalk sales and delicious summer fair foods. People are invited to mingle through the street and admire the cars, meet up with friends over refreshments, cool down with La Grande Fire Department’s Shower Tower and explore the craft vendors.

The car show participants are expected to arrive in La Grande on Friday, July 15.

“The cruise-in and registration event will take place between 5–8 p.m. at Riverside Park on Friday,” Miesner said. “It’s a meet and greet and people can get registered. The car show participants will be treated to a free pulled pork dinner catered by The Dusty Spur.”

Then on Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., the Timbers Cruisers Car Club will display their lineup of shiny, restored classic vehicles on Adams Avenue, and the public is welcome to view the cars and talk to their owners.

“Car owners will be invited to take part in the Poker Walk involving visiting seven of our local businesses and drawing cards for the best poker hand,” Miesner said. “Throughout the day, raffle tickets will be sold too.”

Rock music will be provided by Frank Carlson of Baker City on Saturday from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., at which time raffle items will be awarded to winning ticket holders and trophies will be presented.

“Following the awards ceremony, car show participants leave Adams Avenue and take part in a Poker Cruise around the Grande Ronde Valley,” Miesner said.

Then on Saturday from 7–10 p.m. the public is invited to a celebration marking M.J. Goss Motor Company’s 100th anniversary.

“It will be held on our main car lot on the corner of Greenwood and Adams,” said Mark Goss, president of the dealership. “We will have a live band called Ripple Effect from the Treasure Valley area. The lead singer is actually one of my service advisers.”

The celebration will be like a street dance fair, but held on their car lot. Benchwarmers Pub and Grill will have their fair wagon down there, and the La Grande Sunrise Rotary Club will serve hamburgers and hot dogs. There is no charge to come to the celebration, but it is advised that you bring your own lawn chairs.

“We want to give back to the community,” Goss said. “We’re buying the band, so we just want people to come out and enjoy it. We’ll have the car cruise going up and down Adams Avenue for a while with the car show, so we just want everyone to have a good time.”

Many of the classic cars will be cruising Adams Avenue from 7–8:30 p.m. during the Cruise for Cash event in hopes of receiving one of the coveted Cruise Plaques from over 35 community businesses and individuals.

On Sunday, the car club members will finish the weekend with a coffee and donut get-together at Safeway’s parking lot. Some of participants will join the car club members in a final cruise around the valley with a stop for lunch before heading home.

“So, if you are into classic cars, shopping and having a lot of fun, plan to be in La Grande on July 15 and 16,” Miesner said. “You won’t be disappointed.”

The 14th Annual La Grande Classic Car Show is sponsored by M.J. Goss Motor Company, The Market Place, Les Schwab Tire Center, La Grande Auto Repair, Richardson’s Paint & Performance, Ziply Fiber and Union County Tourism.

Anyone interested in joining the Timbers Cruisers Car Club can visit www.timbercruiserscarclub.com and print off a membership registration form, or call Arlan Miesner at 541-910-9025.