Rod Run and Show 'n' Shine highlights cars in Havre

Car enthusiasts will be showing off their work to people in Havre this weekend during the Hi-Line Cruz'n Association's 31st Annual Rod Run.

Association member Craig Otterstrom said the association never knows how many people and vehicles will show up for the event, or from how far away - he said some years he has seen 50 vehicles, sometimes 150. People from Montana, neighboring states and Canada often bring vehicles, but some years people travel farther.

"We've had people from as far away as California," Otterstrom said.

The Cruz'n Association tries to make the event family-friendly, and the people who come vary, too, he said, sometimes individuals and sometimes groups and entire families.

"I've seen virtual babies," he said.

The themes tend to fit into the family orientation, with this year's being "Pajama Party."

He said the themes often lead to participants wearing costumes.

"You don't have to, but some people just love to do that," Otterstrom said, adding that one former theme that worked well for costumes was "The Flintstones."

The event starts for participants Friday at the Great Northern Fairgrounds, with registration from 5 to 9 p.m. and food served to paid participants from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Registration resumes Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with one of the main public attractions also starting that morning - the Show 'n' Shine from 11 a.m to 2 p..m.

People bring their vehicles - Otterstrom said it could be any kind of vehicle at any level of restoration - for people to look at and ask questions about.

"The public is invited to come up and look, maybe spend some time talking to the people there," he said.

The vehicles might be hot rods, might be rat rods, might just be classics restored to their original condition, he said.

And sometimes a project car might be there - Otterstrom said his Ford Falcon, found in a junkyard in Helena with the body work done by his son in Billings, first went to the show with buckets used as seats.

He said people asked him if that was how it was supposed to be and he told them it was a work in progress.

After the Show 'n' Shine, the Rod Run participants will do a poker run through Havre from 2 to 4 p.m., stopping at spots to collect cards to build a poker hand.

Otterstrom said the Rod Run is held mainly so people can see the cars driving through town as they try to build a poker hand to win prizes.

"That's all we want to do is drive around and let the cars be seen," he said.

"We always like to inspire people to maybe get a specialty vehicle of their own," he said.

The evening rounds out with the Cruz'n Association putting on a pitch-fork fondue for registered participants starting at 6 p.m. followed by live music.

The prizes, including for the judging of the cars in the show and the poker run, are hand-made by the association.

Otterstrom said local businesses also are a great help putting on the event, donating items and supporting the association.

"Without them, it would be economically hard for us," he said.

People can participate in only the Show 'n' Shine for $5 per car entered and charges for the full Rod Run are $40 for a single person, $50 per couple and $55 for a family.

For more information, people can call 265-3163 or email [email protected]