Every Father's Day in Warrenton, there's a car show. I've only ever heard great things about it but had never managed to get there until this year. I was amazed to be able to park close to it on the main road but realized after climbing to the top of the hill to Main St that there was free parking up on a top road for the event. Oh well, the hike was needed. As usual, the heat was intense, the temperature was expected to reach over 100F. Apparently Death Valley would reach 126F today; so glad I wasn't there! Why are car shows always on days with burning sun? The walking on hot tarmac, with the rising heat stroking my legs, while squinting at the chrome fenders and wheels that blinked and dazzled as I walked past, made the event actually tiring to attend. But it did look like there were some beautiful vehicles here. The music of the Beach Boys blared down Main Street as folk slowly inspected and admired the immaculate cars, trucks and vans on display. I heard one guy say it was the biggest show yet, and indeed, the side streets were also lined with gleaming metallic beauties.
I was pleased to see a big, beautiful yellow Mack truck here, they've always been a favorite of mine. They certainly don't make them like this any more. I stood and just stared for a while noting the many hours of adoring attention that had been lavished upon this glorious beast.
Every vehicle had been washed and waxed, polished and buffed, and arranged just so, wheels pointing the right way to strike the right pose, hoods up for engine inspections, and elements of humor added, with 'mini me' versions of their cars placed atop engines, 60's style decor on the seats and even a couple of skeletons sat in a VW Beetle, although I wasn't really sure why. But they looked hunorous, and certainly raised laughs from passing admirers.
There were vehicles here that I hadn't seen before, a great variety of transport, although there were a lot of corvettes and mustangs, both of which I'm not that bothered about. But I did pick out three favorites. The first was the runaway winner for me, I totally adored the 1959 Cadillac Coup DeVille and immediately understood peoples' adoration for vintage cars. I wanted it. It was gorgeous. I remembered as a teenager, singing the Meatloaf song, 'Two out of Three ain't Bad', and wondering what a Coupe DeVille looked like, because there was no internet then to quickly look it up on, but making do with the fact that it had to be a wonderful car to be featured in a rock star's song. And it most assuredly was. I stood and drooled for some time.
Those huge fins and extended back lights were amazing. The wide front grill and rounded glass, with so much chrome glittering and sparkling in the sunlight. The size of this thing must have made driving it on today's roads a little nerve racking but it was so low slung it looked like it would hug the road. It's rotten when being an adult means acting responsible because if I had been a kid I would have opened a door and hopped right n to that front seat and damn the consequences. But my adult self control wouldn't allow that. Shame.
The next vehicle that stopped me in my tracks was a souped up Camero dubbed The Green Hornet.
I don't usually bother with the muscle cars, but this one drew me in with it's superb paint job and those bat wing doors. The interior was visually stunning and I really wanted to touch those green panels and had a very hard time keeping my grubby mitts to myself.
The last pull for me was a 1957 Chevy sedan delivery truck. I'd never seen one of these before and it was delightful. Immaculately restored in a bright tomato red paint inside and out, it was certainly an eye catcher.
The inside was adorable, with its bench seat and over the top red dash and carpet. Even the back of the truck was fitted out with everything red. I loved it.
After walking round once I left the cars to the crowds. There were many more folks here since I'd first arrived and I smiled seeing a lot of fathers with their sons walking about, enjoying their special day together.
In the evening Steve and I went to an America concert, down at the Birchmere, which seems to be the only place near me at which they perform. Not that I mind, it's one of those old fashioned places where you sit down for dinner and drinks and then the band comes on. Beats standing all the time, being jostled, in a packed concert hall, and there's free parking.
We got there an hour before the doors opened yet there was still quite a queue already. These were concert veterans, in place with seats and coolers. Thankfully the line was in the shade, but I still looked enviously sideways at those people looking comfy in their beach chairs and sipping cool drinks.
This mural is by the bar. I loved the little dig in the side' reminder to refrain from drinking and driving! We met a family while we waited to get to 'our table, a mom and dad with their daughter and her boyfriend. The mother intrigued me as she talked about living in a wooden cabin in WV which was perched next to a cliff. She remembered being there and listening to 'Horse with no Name' on the radio and also hearing Kansas for the first time and wondering who they were. Apparently that cabin is still standing.
The hallways are covered with photos and posters of previous acts, all autographed and framed. It's impossible to walk without stopping at some point to admire the display. Even the ladies' bathroom has a comical mural painted on the wall.
And of course, America were superb, but then I'd still say that if they came on drunk and slurred their words. We were a little concerned with Gerry's voice at first, he sounded a bit strange, but seemed to sort himself out after a couple of songs. Maybe he had had a tipple before coming onstage, but he was very witty, making us laugh out loud a few times so maybe not. They sang many of their hits, accompanied by the audience, and the time flew by. It seemed like only 20 minutes had passed before we were standing and yelling for an encore. I sure hope it's not another 7 years before I see them again. I shall make sure it isn't!
Gerry and Dewey were accompanied by drummer Ryland Steen, bassist Rich Campbell and guitarist Andy Barr.
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