Photos by Mark Brennan, Zac Burtt & Chantelle Meyer/Siuslaw News

Rods N Rhodies, Community-wide Garage Sale return last weekend

Sept. 15, 2021 — The 13th Rods N Rhodies weekend included classic cars, a cruise through Historic Old Town Florence and the Community-wide Garage Sale.

“The event was a big success,” said Rods N Rhodies Inc. President Gary Cargill, who spearheaded the Sept. 10 to 11 event.

While some restaurants were closed, that didn’t stop visitors from heading down to Old Town for the Rods N Rhodies Show N Shine, where dozens of cars lined Bay Street and parts of Nopal, Maple and Laurel streets.

“The vehicles on display were fantastic and gave everyone something to look at, from little Crosleys to a 40-foot converted Greyhound Bus. Rat rods to impeccably detailed muscle cars. Highly modified street rods to stock convertibles,” Cargill said.

The Best of Show Award went to Don and Robin Pyle, of Lebanon, Ore., for their bronze 1934 Plymouth Sedan.

The People’s Choice went to Fred Calosso, of Florence, for his 1931 Ford Vicky.

This year, the Children’s Choice went to the purple and pink 1955 Chevy BelAir owned by Mike Rice of Sweet Home, Ore.

In total, there were 37 winners at the event as sponsors and area merchants gave out awards.

Plus, “the weather could not have been better,” Cargill said, describing the sunny skies that lasted throughout the day.

The event opened with a Sept. 11, 2001, memorial moment, planned by Rods N Rhodies Committee Member Cal Applebee.

“The Sept. 11 ceremony was touching and could not have been better presented,” Cargill said. “Cal did a fantastic job arranging the ceremony and gathering the participants.”

Rods N Rhodies wrapped up with an award ceremony for the winning vehicles and ended with a “low and slow” cruise through Historic Old Town.

Attendees were able to line area streets or dine at area restaurants and watch many of the vehicles coast on by.

While tallies for the weekend have not been tallied, Cargill said the event was also a financial success.

“This event will allow us to contribute to our Rods N Rhodies Transportation Solutions Project, which supports our local families in need of help in vehicle maintenance,” he said.

More about that can be found at rodsnrhodies.org.

“We do hope that this year will also allow us to improve on future events, with the goal of inviting celebrities to our community in the future,” Cargill added. “Overall, I am very happy with the results and hope the community was as well.”

In addition, Siuslaw News and the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce again sponsored the Florence Community-wide Garage Sale, which allowed shoppers to visit dozens of sales around the area. People were able to purchase furniture, antiques, art, clothing, fixtures and more, all at discount prices.