Hogs 'N' Hot Rods

Most Saturdays during the summer, my youngest son goes (actually I take him) to his grandparent's house and mows their lawn. They pay him, so he's happy about that. They still live in the same town (Collinsville, OK) where my wife and I grew up, so it's kinda fun sometimes to just drive through town and see how things have changed.

Main Street has changed quite a bit; where there used to be clothing and grocery stores, there are now "flea markets" and antique stores. Many of the "mom and pop" stores are long gone, victims of the Wal-Mart that was built right outside the city limits several years ago and due to a period where it seemed like everyone was moving away to other cities/areas. Butch Cribbett still has a hardware store on Main; it used to be a "Western Auto"--it's "True Value" now, I think. But, things are looking up. They have a young mayor (he grew up there as well) with lots of ideas for revitalization.

Several years ago--after we had moved to a nearby town, a bar/restaurant that catered to bikers came and set up shop on Main Street . I don't know much about the place or what made them think that Collinsville would be a good place to put in a business, but it's apparently worked for them. One of the things they did was start an annual event they call "Hogs 'N' Hot Rods." For the past few years, downtown (6 blocks) is blocked off and motorcycle and hot rod enthusiasts fill the streets. There are food and beer vendors and all kinds of booths with just about everything you can imagine, as well as "hog/hot rod" attire--related items. Both sides of the street are lined with hot rods and restored classic cars, as well as choppers and touring bikes. Some of the paint jobs on the choppers and cars is absolutely incredible.

I'm not a big bike or hot rod fan, but I couldn't resist taking a stroll through the festivities after dropping Alex off. I had thrown my camera in the truck just in case I stumbled onto something "photo worthy." I spent a couple of hours just walking up and down the street, admiring the cars and bikes and snapping pictures. Even bought myself a JUMBO corn dog. It was a nice, relaxing --and different-- way to spend the morning. Some of the pics are below. You can see more here.