GONZALES — The fourth annual Gonzales Car Show was held downtown last Saturday on Fourth Street with more than 100 cars and other vehicles participating, many of which arrived early to park at the choice viewing spots.
Raul Hernandez, a former Gonzales resident, enjoys coming to the car show at Gonzales to meet up with friends and to enter his car.
“This is my fourth year attending the Gonzales Car show,” Hernandez said. “I’ve received seven awards in the four years that I have entered Bella Rose, my 1963 Chevy Impala.”
On June 27, Hernandez received a Best of Show at the Deadend Worldwide Custom Capitol Car Show in San Jose. The award was given by Lowrider Magazine. At Gonzales, he was awarded a Judges Choice Award.
Bobby Barba of Gonzales also had a story to tell about the 1959 GMC truck that he entered for the Gonzales Car Show.
“That truck used to be just rusting out at my grandmother Rosario Garcia’s property on Rancho Rincon after it stopped running,” Barba said. “My grandmother bought the truck from Johnson Motors in Gonzales when it was brand new. When we were kids and the truck was running, I remember riding around with family members in that truck. We dropped a new engine in it and a nice paint job and it looks like a completely different truck now. I enjoy it as it brings back memories of family, especially my grandmother.”
Barba displayed photos of the GMC in the truck’s bed so that passersby could view the transformation of the vehicle from an eyesore to a treasure. The GMC also won a Judges Choice Award.
There were a total of 21 awards given out, including the Mayor’s Choice, Fire Department’s Choice, Police Department’s Choice and 18 Judges Choice Awards.
Norma Aguilar of Salinas received a Judges Choice Award for displaying her brother Peter Aguilar’s Harley Davidson. Peter Aguilar died last April.
“I wanted a way to honor my brother and I knew he loved his motorcycle,” Norma Aguilar said. “I went all in and learned how to ride his bike and got my license and rode the bike to today’s Car Show as he had participated in the show a few times.”
Along with the cars on display, there were also many trucks, bikes and a few motorcycles on Fourth Street. The Car Show took place with the partnership of Gonzales Customs and Street Life Car Club, and featured music, great food and the Gonzales sunshine.
Just before the awards were presented, three raffles took place. There was a 50/50 raffle, a general raffle and raffles of three boys and girls bicycles.
The annual Car Show raised money to help support youth events through the Gonzales Recreation Department.
