ARLINGTON — People came all the way from France to see the Arlington Show-n-Shine Car Show June 13.
Olympic Avenue was jam packed from end to end, as guys, families and women strolled the street to enjoy the shiny art form of restoring cars.
The bright and warm sunshine didn’t hurt, though there were those who complained about the heat.
A French couple, Laurent Denis and his wife won the tool chest donated by Stilly Auto Parts, said car show organizer Marilyn Bullock.
“They’ve been living in Bellevue for almost a year-and-a-half and she speaks predominantly French.”
Bullock said she tried out her high school French, but it was pretty rusty. Nonetheless, they still enjoyed a wonderful half-hour conversation, Bullock said.
“They were totally amazed that they won. They loved Arlington’s small town atmosphere,” Bullock said. “They loved the stores and the old buildings. They said they much prefer it to the big malls.”
Greg Baker, on the other hand, loved the hot rods best.
“We’ve been up and down the street quite a few times,” Baker said, adding he came to visit his father-in-law, Wally Cabe, who brought a 1972 Nova and a 1965 Impala to the car show. “I intended to stay a short time, but have been here three hours now.”
Comments on the street were very positive, with visitors from across the state of Washington enjoying downtown Arlington.
“This is the perfect car-show town,” said Thomas Murphy, of Bellevue. “A street full of cars and lots of good restaurants.”
Bullock saw the conversation with the French visitors as a confirmation of what she already knew: That downtown Arlington is a real treasure that must be protected and promoted.
The car show had a record-breaking 250 entries.
Prize winners
Best of show — Rick and Laurie Benson, Stanwood
Mayor’s trophy — Boyd and Mary Avery, Marysville
Best engine — Matt Togstad, Arlington
Best paint — Rick and Laurie Benson, Stanwood
George Giebel Award — Bob Pfeifer, Everett
Fred Bleeck Memorial Award — Greg Wilch, Arlington
Class 1 — 1920s and earlier stock
First – Jim and Laura Scharf, of Granite Falls
Second – Jim Garaad, Lake Stevens
Class 2 — 1930s stock
First – Dave Campbell, Arlington
Second – Rollin Whited, Oak Harbor
Class 3 — 1940s stock
First – Jack Werckman, Monroe
Second – John Huffman, Marysville
Class 4 — 1950s stock
First – Grant Jensen, Arlington
Second – Leonard Stanton, Arlington
Class 5 — 1950s modified
First – Chuck Togstad, Arlington
Second – Grant Brenneka, Tacoma
Class 6 — 1960s stock
First – John West, Lake Stevens
Second – Bonnie Giebel, Arlington
Class 7 — 1960s modified
First – Dave Peterson, Lynnwood
Second – Ken Young, Everett
Class 8 — 1970s stock
First – Bob and Sharon Kropp, Arlington
Second – Steve Kraski, Arlington
Class 9 — 1970s modified
First – Paul Fincher, Lynden
Second – Brian and Lori Toop, Langley B.C.
Class 10 — trucks stock
First – Dean and Lola Comer, Marysville
Second – Ken Casperson, Arlington
Class 11 — trucks modified
First – Matt Togstad, Arlington
Second – Dave Clark, Lake Stevens
Class 12 — special interest
First – Grant Jensen, Arlington
Second – Boyd and Mary Avery, Marysville
Class 13 — street rod
First – Warren Williamson, Shoreline
Second – Simon Van Putten, Arlington
Class 14 — hot rod
First – Don Reitz, Arlington
Second – Dean Jensen, Stanwood
Class 15 — rat rod
First – Tom and Bonnie Sanders, Arlington
Second – Amber Oban, Snohomish
Click here for more photos.
