History

In the beginning…
Written by: Carrie Dianda McCoid

Hot Rods at the Beach began in 1998 as a one day event with a little over three hundred cars, 10 major sponsors, two raffles, about 15 vendors, a few food booths, about 30 day of event volunteers, and about 4 staff members who volunteered year round. It began small and simple with very local and community oriented goals in mind: have a fun show and raise money to build a nostalgic police vehicle for our city’s police department.

Today, Hot Rods at the Beach is a two day event which features over 500 cars, 14 major sponsors, four raffles, over 40 vendors, 70 feet of food booths, about 60 day of event volunteers, and about 8 staff members who volunteer year round.

The accomplishments of the Hot Rods at the Beach Car Show over the last thirteen years are awesome! Our first car show in 1998 raised money to rebuild a 1961 Chevrolet Biscayne Nostalgic Police Vehicle for the Santa Cruz Police Department. The vehicle can be seen at local parades, festivals, and at every Hot Rods at the Beach Car Show. Our Show in 2001 raised over $20, 000.00 which was donated to the Silver Shield Foundation, (a scholarship program for the children of firefighters and police officers who lost their lives on September 11th in New York). As well as the previously mentioned donations, the Santa Cruz Police Officers Industrial Arts Scholarship fund has awarded over $65,000.00 in youth scholarships.

I have had the incredible opportunity to watch this show evolve and accomplish more than its creators ever imagined. I have enjoyed the experience of working year after year with some of the community’s most successful business owners, dedicated police officers, most passionate hot rodding enthusiasts and tireless volunteers. The achievements made by this event and the people who make it happen are nothing less than remarkable. I eagerly await the successes of the years ahead.