The Northwest Corvette Association is bringing back its biggest event this summer after it was canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The 36th annual Endless Summer Cruise-In will take place on Aug. 28 at ilani, 1 Cowlitz Way, Ridgefield. Gates will open at 8 a.m. and close at 4 p.m.
The cruise-in will be free for spectators. There will be parking for up to 300 spectators and the show itself will be open to up to 500 vehicles including cars, trucks, motorcycles and “rat-rod” vehicles.
Registration for the show will cost $20 per vehicle. No pre-registration is required, and participants will receive a goodie-bag with coupons and other prizes provided by the casino.
Car classes, or categories, are determined at the event through the NWCA’s class assignment system. A muscle car from the 1970s, for example, may end up in the 1970s class, or in the muscle car class depending on the features of the car and a variety of other factors. Trophies will be awarded for every class of car, and sponsor favorites will also be awarded trophies.
“Northwest Corvette Club does not win any of the trophies. This is a show for the people who come to it, not for the people who put it on,” said show manager Bob Toycen. “We’re the only car show I know of that does that. We want to make sure everyone that comes has an equal chance.”
Last year’s Endless Summer Cruise-In was one of the many events canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so this year’s festivities aim to make up for the lost year. Vendors, food trucks, drawings, silent auctions and music will also be featured at the show.
All proceeds from the event will go to Northwest Battle Buddies, an organization based in Battle Ground that provides service dogs at no cost to veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“Northwest Battle Buddies is such a heartwarming organization. They’re just excellent,” said Toycen. “Anyone who considers sponsorship of the show would be helping them.”
Northwest Battle Buddies adopts out service dogs, but also works to improve the mental health of veterans to increase their quality of life and reduce rates of suicide.
The service dogs are often rescued from animal shelters. After months of training, the dogs are given to a person with PTSD. The animals can recognize when someone is having a flashback or intense negative emotions and then respond with love and affection. While there is no proven cure for PTSD, the support of a companion like a service dog can help with a veteran’s healing and recovery.
To find out more about Northwest Battle Buddies, visit northwestbattlebuddies.org. For more information on the NWCA, go to nwcorvette.com.
Sponsors who are interested in getting involved can email Bob Toycen at rwtoycen@gmail.com.
