Lost in the 50's ...2005

Tradition


Today is the first day of a yearly tradition in Sandpoint. And this year, they say could be the end of this tradition. As I sit here looking out the window, it makes me sad as it is raining. And it could rain tonight. Rain on their parade.

It is called LOST IN THE 50'S. A great group of people bring to us each year, a wonderful program. It starts for us, the people who go to this, on Friday night.

The parade of cars. From the high school to downtown and around the town and out. Of course after the parade is over, then the drivers drive thru town over and over and park near town. The cars are from the 30's to the 70's. The hopes and dreams of the drivers, that have come alive. The crowds can be heard.... oh and aha's as they drive away. The peeling of wheels, the thunderous mufflers that we all love. Even some back fire, with actual fire coming out of the mufflers. (the police don't like these antics, but the crowd cheers). With this the weekend starts. The traffic controllers do a great job with the parade and thru traffic, in this small town.

Saturday, is the show of cars. Up and down First Avenue and Cedar Street, some on Second Avenue and Main Street. All the beautiful cars of the past, polished, shining in the sun light. Proud owners, some of them dressed in the 50's clothes, standing nearby to hear the people's memories of their own cars, similar to the one they are looking at now. Some of the old trucks are there as well. Men look in envy, women look at the interiors, as they have memories of their youth. The younger crowd, look at what was in the past, and admire the workmanship.

Friday night and Saturday night at the fairgrounds there is a dance. All the oldies are sung. Each year they try to find a name person to come and some times score with 2 or 3 crowd pleasers. And then there are the volunteers who lip-sync the oldies while dressed in the 50's clothes.

Sunday, there is sometimes an auction, and also the Aspirin Run for those who are young at heart and can still run.

While this will be a quick weekend, the work started last fall for the people who put this whole project together. I don't know personally the people who put this on. Except I do have an acquaintance with one of the behind the scene person. I have seen him in a video as one of the singer, and he does a great job. He also works with my husband and has gotten my sweetie to come for 3 years now, to be a bouncer of sorts. It is amazing how far this project has come. From about 30 or so cars to over 800 cars in town over the weekend. I know the parade last over an hour. Over an hour of not seeing the same car. You see the long, the short, the convertible, trucks, the start of a car project and the finish projects from last year. And these drivers are not all men. There are quite a few women drivers. And a lot of families.

So I am hoping Mother Nature will co-operate this final year. I am hoping she will get the rain out of her system this morning and then give us sunshine the rest of the weekend. These volunteers of many years, deserve a break this year more than any other year. They have worked so hard, for the pleasure of all of us.
If you live in the area, be sure to come into to town and see it all. It is worth putting up with the crowds so you can see.
And who knows, this just might be the last year you will get to see one in our area.