TR Robertson – The Vista Historical Society and the Pride of Vista Lions Club joined together on Saturday to sponsor the Let’s Celebrate America celebration and the Muscles Off Main car show. The car show was held in the parking lot of the Vista Innovation and Design Academy (VIDA) that runs along Foothill Drive. The Let’s Celebrate Ameriica celebration was held in the outside patio area of the Vista Historical Society, located directly across the street from VIDA. The Muscles Off Main car show was located at Guajome Park Academy last year.
The car show began at 10 am and shutdown at 1 pm. The Let’s Celebrate America event began at 11 am and ended at 5 pm. The car show, sponsored by the Pride of Vista Lions Club, brought in 30+ cars that ranged from hot rods to classics to low riders. Car owners were more than willing to tell you anything you needed to know, and more, about their cars; how they were built, how long they have had them, the specifics about the engines, the paint and upholstery jobs, and much more.
John Buckman said he bought his 1971 Pantera new for $9,100 and today the car is worth six figures. Craig Cline spoke about his 1974 Ford Falcon wagon, from New Zealand with a right hand drive, and what it is like to drive the car here in the states. Owners came from all over San Diego, and beyond. One gentleman had driven down from Orange County and one from Temecula. One car and driver, in a beautiful specially designed Mustang, was driving through the parking lot slowly, looking at the cars. I spoke with him and he said he just happened to be driving by, after dropping his son off for his sports team practice, when he saw the cars and decided to stop by to see what was going on. He said he wish he had known about the event and wants to join in next year. I told him about the “Trunk or Treat on Main Street” car show, which takes place in October, and he said he would look into joining that one as well.
hose attending could vote on the top ten and People’s Choice Award. The following is a result of the winners of the awards being selected and the top ten cars selected.
Best in Show – David Felix – 1967 Chevy Nova
Best in Show Museum Choice – Dean Nesbitt – 1963 Ford Fairlane
People’s Choice – Steve Diffendel – 1940 Chevy Special
Lion’s Choice – Erik Hart – 1965 Cadillac Coupe De Ville
Celebrate America Choice – Ralph Daboian – 1933 Dodge
Top Ten
Gordon & Gloria Bradley – 1965 Chevy Nova
Gil Lucuro – 1932 Ford Roadster
Philip Glorious – 1969 Chevy Camaro
George Goodrich – 1923 Roadster
Brad Koller – 1972 Chevy El Camino
Peter Hillyer – 1974 Chevy C-10
John Nutt – 1953 Studebaker
Cort Nelson – 1966 Chevy Chevelle
Mike Bradford – 1969 Chevy El Camino
Larry Robertson – 1965 Cobra
In the patio area of the Vista Historical Society a Let’s Celebrate America event was set up getting ready for an 11 am kick-off. Highlighting this celebration was the Hall of Fame Jazz Orchestra that would perform patriotic music beginning at 1 pm. There were a number of vendors in the patio area, many selling patriotic red/white & blue merchandise. One booth was set up by the Santa Margarita Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. One vendor had unusual pottery designs holding succulents, several sold jewelry, including a large selection at the Blue Butterfly Crafts. Two very friendly ladies sold handmade patriotic bracelets, many in children’s sizes. The museum was set up to sell hot dogs and hamburgers, with the hot dogs being the most popular as they sold out in the afternoon.
A car show, patriotic music, red/white & blue gift items, how much more patriotic can you get on a relaxing Saturday in Vista a week away from the 4th of July.
