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An estimated 70,000 classic and hot rod car aficionados attended the 27th annual Goodguys car show that ended its three-day run at the Alameda County Fairgrounds yesterday.
John Drummond, communications director of the Pleasanton-based Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, said 3,700 show cars from 29 different states and Australia had their vehicles in display at the show.
Presented by Goodguys and Flowmaster Mufflers, this year’s event was one of the biggest ever.
Standing right alongside the Goodguys team as event organizers was the P-Town Pushrods car club. Founded locally by Rich Riley in 1994, the club has called Pleasanton home and served as host club for all Goodguys events at the Fairgrounds for the last 20 years. The club has more than 150 members based both here in the Tri-Valley and abroad, including in Australia and New Zealand.
Pushrods members worked the car gates, organized special parking areas, and staffed the club’s fundraising booth as well as helped the Goodguys team scout potential award winners.
“We always have a great time with Goodguys in Pleasanton,” said club member and liaison Doug Cabral of Tracy. “Being the official host club of the Goodguys West Coast Nationals allows us to stay active in the hobby, interacting with thousands of car guys as well giving back to the community.”
In addition to serving as host club for Goodguys, the P-Town Pushrods have their own activities. They escort Livermore Veterans Hospital patients to the Goodguys events and serve them lunch. Each spring, the Pushrods organize a mini car show and barbecue lunch at the hospital. In addition, the club donates funds to Hope Hospice, the National Cancer Society, the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Center and other local Tri-Valley based charities.
“The economy is rebounding and we’ve seen near record numbers at several events so far this summer,” said Harry Daviess, vice president of event operations for Goodguys. “People love coming to Pleasanton because the hotels are clean and close by, the restaurants are great and the Fairgrounds is one of the nicest in the country.
“We get some of the nicest cars in the country here,” he added. “It’s our ‘Crown Jewel’ event.”
What, if anything, does our city (and community) get out of these events at the Fairgounds other than increased traffic and use of our public safety resources?
drive through the hotel parking lots for the week leading up to a goodguys show. the goodguys shows generate a lot of money for pleasanton, from hotel tax to restaurant tax.
Just curious, or just clueless? Honestly, you don’t see the benefit of an event at the Fairgrounds that draws over 70,000 people? In addition to the major sources of income that $$$$$ cited, there’s tax from sales at the fairgrounds, permits for just about everything involving sales, food concession and supply profits, income for part time workers, etc, etc.
Let me guess, you live downtown and drive a Prius and don’t know the difference between carburetor and a camshaft…….
Mr. Just Curious,
You must not have ever worked for yourself or thought much about economics. The increased traffic and use of our public safety resources are paid for 10 fold ++++ by the extra dollars spent in our community by people who would have never come here without the show. From the little kid selling canned drinks and lemonade on the corner to the auto part store that sells extra parts to someone that has brokedown and needs it fixed now. All of these people would not have the extra money coming to them without the show being in town. All of which funds extra money to our city through taxes and jobs created for others to work and support the extra people all the way down the line.
It’s worth every dollar spent.
Just Curious obviously doesn’t have even the most basic understanding of economics.
Just curious, does any know the number of classic, custom, and hot rod cars at the event?
To Barnstormer – My husband and I were in the show and I heard it was just over 3700 enteries from 27 states. Not as big as last years event, but a fun weekend with great weather and lots of nice people. Thanks for asking!
Aw I really wanted to bring my 1973 Maverick Grabber but the August show only goes up to 1972. I missed the June show because my Mav was being painted. It looks brand new now. I will try to bring it in November!
Roz
I’m from the East Coast on a trip to visit my son and family in San Jose. We decided to take in the show at the fairgrounds. We walked through the gate and directly in front was a “64” Ford Falcon. We walked over and in talking to the owner, we discovered this car was owned by my son in Cohasset, Mass. about 25 years ago. What a thrill. You just can’t make this stuff up. Don Clark Bradenton, Fl.