Early Irons celebrates 11 years

PORT GAMBLE — Revving engines and shiny chrome will be at the center of attention once again in Port Gamble as auto enthusiasts get in gear for the 11th annual Early Irons Car Show this Sunday. Beautiful cars and amazing engines are just the tip of the classic car fin, as organizers prepare events and raffles to make the day unforgettable.

In keeping with the past two years, all the funds raised at the show will be donated to the North Kitsap Boys & Girls Club, and students from the group will be a part of the day’s festivities. Event organizer Peggy Orbea said having the children involved is an important part of the show.

“We are having the North Kitsap Boys & Girls Club picks again, the 10 trophies have all been sponsored out,” she said. During the kid picks, 10 children are asked to choose their favorite car, either for its color, body work or engine, and the car’s owner is awarded a special honor. “Also this year we are having an engine rack loud pipe contest. Owners line up their cars, and each starts the car up. They rev their engines to see which one is the loudest and the best sounding one.”

There will also be an engine blowout contest, involving a decrepit vehicle, where attendees can try to guess how long it will take before the engine essentially sputters out. Orbea said she wasn’t sure how much it would be for each guess, but it could be about $1 for every 10 seconds. The person who guesses the closest to the actual time wins a prize, and could win a portion of the pot, though most of it will go to the NKBGC, she said.

Another gear of the car show that became a part of the tradition last year was the Kingston Kiwanis’ raffle drawing for a renovated Ford Mustang. Last year’s car was a 1966 red Mustang, and the winner of that car will be bringing it back for this year’s show, said Kiwanis member Debbie Anderson. A lucky attendee could win a 1968 Corvette blue Mustang. Next year’s 1965 raspberry red Mustang will also be at the show, with the raffle starting just after the drawing for this year’s car.

“We’re going to have the gentleman who won last year at the show this year,” Anderson said. “He won his car after buying a couple of tickets at the show that morning, and he said he wanted to come back with his car this year. We will also have the Mustang for next year.”

There is no admission or parking cost for North End residents interested in checking out the vehicles. Car owners hoping to show off their chrome and rims must pay a $20 entry fee, Orbea said, but they’ll receive a goodie bag, dash plaque and raffle ticket, and all the money will be donated to the NKBGC.

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