Showing off in the downtown

Willows was gratefully mobbed over the weekend by a parade of brightly colored and fully restored classic relics.

The 24th annual Willows Car and Bike Show rolled into town Friday with powerful engines purring like furious thunder that rattled the windows of dozens of storefronts.

The two-day celebration of fine automotive craftsmanship fired up with the longer-than-usual parade through the downtown and main residential neighborhoods in the center of town. With drivers and passengers hooting and honking and hollering as per tradition, the 45 minute cruise ended with a large street dance.

"It was fun, like always, but, I think it was bigger this year than before," said the show's president Kevin Nelson.

Others agreed and said they were both pleased and surprised with the turnout.

"It's a lot bigger than I remember it," said Mike Price of Willows.

Price, 28, said he was happy the weather cooperated, allowing for a pleasant afternoon in a shady park with hundreds of locals and out-of-towners mingling.

The event probably would not be possible without participants like Willows' Willie Beavers.

Beavers, 31, grew up attending the car show, longing for the day he could rumbling onto the high grass of Jensen Park in a shining motorcycle of his own. That day came Saturday. At 6 a.m.

"Yeah, I got here before the sun," Beavers said.

Beavers entered his motorcycle in judging competition, volunteered several hot and sweaty hours working the Willows Wrestlers, Inc. booth selling tri tip sandwiches and Pepsi, helped out setting up the Idol Riders motorcycle stunt shows and passed out information to new visitors.

"I also have a chicken in the (barrel cooking contest)," Beavers said with a laugh Saturday.

It was the Idol Riders' stunt shows that seemed to draw the biggest individual crowds over the weekend.

The Sacramento-based trick riding club is normally a four-man group performing at shows throughout the state. However, this weekend they featured Willows' own Matt Spooner.

Riding on one-wheel while standing on the seat of a high-pitched bike thrilled some of the young boys in attendance and shocked others, forcing a group of 10 and 11 year olds to debate which of them would be brave enough to perform some of those high-octane tricks some day.

"I'd do it, for sure," said 10-year-old Zachary Coonrod. "I like dirt bikes because they're cool."

Some of young Zachary's friends were not so convinced.

"I think they're just insane," said Taylor Osa, 11. "No way, I'm not doing that. No thanks."

Dozens of awards and prizes were handed out Saturday afternoon with contestants rewarded for their individual class of vehicle as well as for particular features of their cars and bikes, such as best interior and best paint design.

Darrell Chambers of Redding took home the Best of Show award for his 1937 Ford coupe.

What is it exactly that causes so many to admire old cars? And why those cars?

A parade of 1984 Dodge Colt hatchbacks would likely elicit significantly less enthusiasm than was generated over the weekend.

So what's the difference?

Many that are drawn to the show go for their own reasons. Some go looking for good deals, some just to socialize, others, like Willows' Gloria Baldwin, like to reminisce.

For Baldwin, the answer is simple - the show serves as a delightful cruise down memory lane.

"It definitely takes me back to the good old days."

Contact Rob Parsons at 934-6800 or rparsons@tcnrpess.com.