Few places can offer both the roar of the ocean and the roar of a classic hot rod.
If those heart-pounding sounds appeal to you, you need to be in Florence from September 13 to 15 for Rods ’n Rhodies.
It’s a free, high-octane weekend at a spectacular time of year here in Florence with music, food, raffles, a poker walk, games, vendors, a Saturday night cruise, and several show-n-shine exhibits featuring cars valued up to $250,000.
These gorgeous custom cruisers, from 1976 and earlier, are regular invitees to the event, now in its 11th year, and will exhibit at various show-and-shine locations including a closed-off Bay Street in Historic Old Town Florence on Saturday and Sunday.
Hot Rods & Custom Cruisers
Rods ’n Rhodies attracts some of the most gorgeous, fantastic hot rods and custom cruisers to the Oregon Coast. Cars come from Oregon, California, Washington, and Canada. New this year will be high-end rat-rods in addition to the fabulous custom cruisers, muscle cars, and dream-car classics.
On Friday, September 13 take a stroll through an “All Cars Welcome” pre-show stand-around from noon to 6:00 p.m. at the Port of Siuslaw, First and Nopal Streets, in Old Town Florence. Owners of any classic car are welcome to exhibit along with the invited vehicles. Check-in for this free event begins at noon and the event ends at 7:00 p.m. This will be a chance for all-comers to show their cars, enjoy muscle-car era music by DJ Russ Strohmeyer, and hang out for a great kickoff to Saturday’s main event.
The main event takes place Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Bay Street in Old Town. Participating merchants and the public will vote for several awards including best-in-show to be awarded Sunday morning. Saturday also features a Pinewood Derby at 10:00 a.m. at Nopal and Bay Streets. Strohmeyer will play themed music throughout.
You can find all kinds of extra information and learn how to register your ride here.
Communitywide Garage Sale Part of Rods ’N Rhodies Weekend in Florence
Not so much into hot rods, but more into hot deals?
Dump your motorhead off in Old Town and pick up your guide to the annual Communitywide Garage Sale. Every year is a bargain hunter’s paradise. Guides are available at The Siuslaw News, 148 Maple St., and on their website, TheSiuslawNews.com—or at the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, 290 Highway 101.
With dozens of private homes, neighborhoods, gated communities, and retail outlets opening their doors to adventurous shoppers, you can think of it as your own personal episode of the famous “American Pickers” TV show.
At Old Town Inn, we typically fill up for this weekend. But we invite you to stay with us anytime during the fabulous fall weather when it’s less crowded in town, but you can still enjoy all the same fun as during the summer season. You can also check out our other lodging — the River House Inn. It’s on the river at the west end of Bay St. in Old Town.