Gear up for Saturday's 24th annual La Conner Classic Boat & Car Show

The 24th La Conner Classic Boat & Car Show, sponsored by the La Conner Chamber of Commerce, is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. There will be over 60 cars and perhaps six boats on trailers in the La Conner Marina's south parking lot. Another dozen or so boats will be moored in the marina's south basin.

Come early and join car and boat owners who will be feasting at the La Conner Retirement Inn's annual pancake breakfast in their North First Street facility. The Inn is an event sponsor. Proceeds from the $10 breakfast are donated to the Chamber.

Pancakes will be served with bacon, sausage, coffee, tea, juice, fruit, a selection of toppings and pastries. "We have a smooth-running machine; we set up the night before," explained Life Enrichment Director Allie Kester. She will be serving along with other department managers.

"The Retirement Inn looks forward every year to the car and boat show," she said. "Oh yes, we absolutely, serve the car drivers and boat owners. Some of the residents will wander in but most of them like to sit at their tables in the dining room."

Walk off breakfast by hiking the block to the car show and another couple of blocks to the vintage boats moored at the marina's south basin. Sixty cars were registered Monday, Chamber Director Mark Hulst said. More will show up on Saturday.

"Historically the largest number of cars show up the day of; registration will start 7 a.m.," Hulst said. All boats had to be registered by July 31.

Vintage boat and car enthusiasts can make a day of it. Music will be DJ'ed by Jaden Turner, a musician in his own right, who plays at Raven's Cup Coffee & Art Gallery, where he works with his mother, Janelle Whitton.

The Rotary Club of La Conner and the Kiwanis Club of La Conner are combining to serve hamburgers, cheeseburgers and hot dogs with a choice of chips and cold soft drinks. Look for their tents, grills, tables and coolers.

Rotary Club President Audrey Gravley noted the bonus, besides the two groups getting to work together, of being located "close to the cars and the ability to visit with owners and share information about the work we do in our community."

By 2 p.m. the judges, "a committee of about 10 guys and gals who do all the coordination of the event: parking, registration and are boots on the ground," as Hulst defined them. "They are community folks; most are retired and enjoy cars," and will start determining who will get the 19 plaques for the prizes that range from best pre-30s era vehicle, through the next six decades to the best 90s-era vehicle and several niche categories, from car company to convertible to foreign manufactured. Awards will go to the best boat in water and best boat on trailer. Attendees weigh in with people's choice awards. And the big one: best of show.

There will be more than one raffle winner for the variety of prizes waiting to be won.

For breakfast, RSVP to Debbie at [email protected]; 360-419-4197.