Rods and Reels offers more than cars

Luckily, the sun came out for the 10th Annual Rods and Reels Rod Run at the fairgrounds in Skamokawa on Saturday as locals joined tourists in what was not only a showcase for cars and trucks and motorcycles, but a social event for enthusiasts.

Shane Pfenniger and his son Colton brought their first project, a rat rod, to the event. It doesn't run yet, but Pfenniger has already derived a great deal of pleasure in this creative puzzle before him.

Cody Olsen spent six years working on his 1978 Chevy Camaro. It is for sale now and he's ready for a new project car, whatever it turns out to be. John Burdick was excited to show off his 1971 Triumph Bonneville which he put together after it came to him in pieces.

If the line for the lunch of salmon and burgers was anything to go by, the event was a big success. While adults enjoyed the cars, kids had fun at the trout pond and the dart game. At 3 p.m., there were many happy raffle winners. For instance, someone went home with a large screen TV or a tent, or a low rider Radio Flyer. There was original art and fishing gear and a gas grill, handmade outdoor furniture and Wahkiakum Mule gear.

"What a great day it was," Organizer Lee Tischer said. "Monies earned might be close to, if not beat, last year's record."

All proceeds go toward scholarships for Wahkiakum High School students.

According to Tischer, 325 vehicles had registered by 11 a.m. and a few more drove in later to join the fun. There were two car clubs from Seattle in attendance and one from Bremerton. Over 60 trophies were handed out. The Beach Barons Car Club from Ocean Park won the Club Participation Award, with 17 entries. The John Luthi Memorial winner was a 1962 Studebaker Convertible owned by Donald Greenland of Cathlamet.

Next year's T-shirt will showcase the 2015 Rods and Reels Favorite, a 1946 Mercury Convertible owned by Ryan Silver of Vancouver; the 2015 Dollars for Scholars Choice, a 1952 Ford F-1 Pickup owned by Austin Greene of Kelso; and the 2015 Best of Show, a 1941 Willy's Coupe owned by Brian Leetch of Camas.

"When I started this Dollars for Scholars fundraiser," Tischer said, "I said I would do it for 10 years. Those went by so fast, I'm going to say I'll go another five years at least. I spoke with a car owner from one of the Seattle clubs today. When I asked if he had a good time, he told me his club brought two cars last year, eight cars this year and planned to return with 15 next year."

The event filled rooms at the Hotel Cathlamet, the Skamokawa Resort, local B&Bs and brought campers to Vista Park, according to Tischer.

"Without all our gracious sponsors and volunteers, this event to generate money for scholarships would not happen," Tischer said. "Thanks cannot be said enough to all that give of their time and money."