Classic cars, community shine at Lost in the '50s

SANDPOINT — While Friday's parade was rainy and overcast, Saturday's Lost in the '50s car show was endless sunshine on the hundreds of classic and vintage cars packing the downtown.

"I looked up at the sky and said, 'God, you can rain on my parade but don't mess with my car show,'" Lost in the '50s founder Carolyn Gleason said with a smile as she talked to fans of the era who stopped by the event's command center near the Cedar Street Bridge on Saturday.

She loves that the event fills downtown, adding to the community vibe and celebratory nature of the event.

She recalls talking to a former Sandpoint police chief who, after she discussed the challenges of fitting cars into her lot, asked her why she didn't just shut down downtown.

"I can do that?" Gleason recalled asking.

When he replied he didn't know, she made it a point to find out — and to make it happen.

Among the hundreds of classic and vintage car owners was Aaron Post of Wallula, Ore.

Post, who has friends in nearby Sagle, has attended the show before and loved driving to Sandpoint with his "rat rod," a 1936 International complete with a replica fire pit, a 36-inch flat-top grill and four outdoor speakers.

"We can make a party wherever we go," Post said with a grin, comfortably seated in a camp chair as he watched visitors of all ages stopping to take photos of the truck.

Post found the truck body at an estate auction on "some old farmland" and won it at auction. It sat around for about a year before he found a donor truck — a Mercury Sleeper — inside a grain silo and knew it was perfect for his vision.

Fortunately, Post is a metal fabrication specialist and designed the custom features that make his rat rod unique. While he appreciates the "shiny" cars that restore vintage and classic vehicles to like-new condition, the Oregon resident said he loves the creative freedom of the rat rod category.

It is, he noted, the perfect combination of classic car spirit and a functional vehicle that can be used and enjoyed.

Spectators enjoyed the show as much as the owners. Among them were friends Adam Noble and Logan Dilley.

Their favorite cars at the show are Chevelles and Firebirds — there's something special about these iconic muscle cars, Noble and Dilley said.

"Just their sheer look and how powerful they look," Dilley said.

Noble agreed.

"They have big block (engines) and are just pretty cool," the youth added.

Putting on an event like Lost in the '50s takes a strong team of volunteers, a year's worth of hard work and substantial support and donations.

"We had some kids who threw in a bunch of change because they were having so much fun," Gleason said of a recent contribution. "It's that heart that I want to keep going."

It takes volunteers, supporters and groups like "house band" Rocky and the Rollers and drummer/vocalist Gerry "Rocky" Seader, who connects Gleason with ideal bands for the concerts. Also essential is Allan Baldwin, known professionally as DJ "Al Brady," who travels from Florida each year to play classic music at the car shows.

Volunteers work behind the scenes, staffing the information and ticket booth, helping secure permits for both the annual parade and car show.

All play key roles in making the annual event possible, Gleason said.

"I can't do it without these people," Gleason said. "I can't do it without the people who keep coming back year after year."

She disagrees with those who question why the group works so hard throughout the year for the event.

"I just believe in what we do," Gleason said, looking down Cedar Street and First Avenue from the Lost in the '50s "headquarters" in the shadow of the Cedar Street Bridge. "People want to look at cars, but I don't believe it's just a car show. It's the overall weekend."

From the street dance for kids to concerts at the fairgrounds, from the downtown cruise of classic and vintage cars to the show filling the city's center, Gleason said all events contribute to making Lost in the '50s special.

Each helps create the community feel that celebrates both the area and the era.

"We need a town that is user-friendly, that is not just made for the rich and famous," she said of why maintaining a community feel is important. "We need a town that is home-grown."

The concert and dance — featuring The Modern Gentleman on Friday and Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits on Saturday as well as "house band" Rocky and the Rollers — bring both classic music and songs from all genres, offering something for everyone.

"It's just good rock 'n' roll music," longtime volunteer Jennifer Leedy said. "There's a little bit of everything. … The house is a-rockin'."

By weekend's end, Gleason and the volunteers are exhausted but excited they were again able to host the event for their community.

"It's the community event of the year," volunteer Donna Hutter said. "It brings our community together every year."

    Lonnie Best checks out a classic car at Saturday's Lost in the '50s car show.
  

    Theo Britton checks out one of the vehicles on display at Saturday's Lost in the '50s car show in downtown Sandpoint. The youth is the son of Natalie and Tyler Britton of Sandpoint.
  

    Piper and Finley Kizanis show off their '50s style as they take in the sights and sounds of Saturday's annual Lost in the '50s car show.
  

    Aaron Post smiles as he watches Lost in the '50s fans check out his "rat rod" at Saturday's annual car show in downtown Sandpoint.
  

    Dennis Gage of "My Classic Car" smiles through the open door of a classic car at Saturday's Lost in the '50s car show.