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Grants Pass' Town Center Association is at it again, refusing to give the psychedelic sixties it's due while focusing faithfully on the fabulous fifties. Yes, they're hosting yet another "Back to the Fifties" celebration. This is the 20th annual Back to the 50s event here in Caveman Country, so perhaps next year we'll just fast forward into the nostalgic seventies. After all, with the 21st century getting into full swing it is hardly surprising that darned few folks can even remember the fifties, and obviously this holds true for the sixties too, although not for quite the same reason...
It looks like they'll be bringing back the Karaoke this year. This was tried about five years ago with not so spectacular results. For one thing, it's an anachronism: there was no such thing as Karaoke in the fifties. Secondly, the local talent was overwhelmed by out of town ringers, professionals no doubt, who won top honors, took the prize money, and quickly disappeared. I hope this event is done better this year -- in any case it'll be happening in the 6th & G parking lot, Friday night at 7, where they'll also be showing free movies. After Saturday's cruise be sure to return again to the Caveman Plaza parking lot (at 6th and G) for the Grand Finale, a free concert and street dance! While you're there, grab yourself a Dutch — drink one for Dane. We'll try to post more info soon, as well as Rogue Planet Passport interactivity to allow you to post your own photos, 'Back to the 50s' anecdotes, and comments regarding the posts of others — so please bookmark this page and check back. In the meantime, check out our photos from previous Back to the Fifties events in nostalgic Grants Pass, Oregon! Okay, so the first one is actually a plug for the Saturday Artisans & Crafters Market, and especially for the starving artist's art wall (hey folks, these guys are getting really hungry, so could someone please get over there and buy some art?) This happens on Fifth Street, between E & F, from 9am to 1pm.  Bob Dudi and Curtis Otto talk about girls, a popular fifties pastime! |
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Anyhow, the official kickoff is at high
noon on Tuesday, July 27, although from the schedule, the first activity I
see listed is that evening's
Of
course the cars themselves are the feature attraction of this event (or
at least in the top two...) and
also presumably of the decade which it ever so redundantly honors.
So, after
a week of putting and strutting about town, the Classic Car Cruise
officially gets underway on Saturday evening at 7.
In recent years the event has turned into more of a parade than a cruise, with
judging stands, people on folding lounge chairs waving flags while a band plays The Star Spangled Banner,
and all kinds of stuff I never saw in American Graffiti.
Nevertheless, bryl-creemed
participants still roll in from all over the country, and especially up and down the
West Coast, for this hallowed event has become a traditional practice run for
many nationwide car buffs preparing for Reno's "Hot August Nights," and though many
of the hot rods you'll be seeing on the streets this week are indeed
local, these will be joined on the streets all week long by many that
are not-so-local.
