(Seaside, Oregon) - From September 7 - 10, the Oregon coast's oldest tourist destination becomes the home to hundreds of hot rods and custom cars as Seaside hosts "Wheels & Waves."

The event in downtown Seaside is limited to modified vehicles built prior to 1962: Fords, Chevys, Hudsons, Plymouths, Willeys, Dodges, Mercurys, Oldsmobiles, etc. Most of the vehicles are Hot Rods/Street Rods with bodies of the past and contemporary running gear. A number of the vehicles are customs and best described as those cars which have styling modifications. The modifications to all these vehicles contribute to the performance, handling, and/or visual appeal.

Each year, Wheels & Waves brings its maximum number of 500 cars to the area, creating a wild and wooly atmosphere full of energetic fun for all ages. The town is filled to the brim with spectacularly colored cars and designs.

Zig's Street Rods is the presenting sponsor for the 2006 Wheels and Waves event. Activities begin on Thursday, Sept. 7 with the Hot Rod Classic Charity Golf Tournament, Flashback's Poker Run and the gathering at Dundee's in the evening. Friday includes registration, vendor set-up, another Flashback Poker Run, and the Friday Night Party hosted by the restaurants of Seaside with live entertainment by Motown Group, Richard Arnold and the Groove Swingers.

Saturday is a long, fun-filled day beginning with the show ‘n shine at 8 AM, a Poker walk, entertainment, shopping, the beach, eating, vendor alley, the kite expo, the Broadway Cruz and ending at the Convention Center with the volunteer firemen's' Casino Night and dance with music by the Lipstick Dollheads.

The wild weekend will wrap up on Sunday with a continuation of the show ‘n shine, a Sunday Cruz, rope jumping demonstration, treasure hunt, shopping, vendor alley, more food, the beach, an awards presentation, and a Grand Prize giveaway.

This year also includes the appearance of kitschy celebrity Aquanetta, a "pin-up" model of sorts, who has appeared on several auto calendars and frequents auto festivals such as these. This amusing character revels in her garish taste and consistent camp and entertains visitors with her presence - a little like a living John Waters character.

Events at Wheels & Waves open to the public include the Hot Rod Charity Golf Tournament, Show ‘N' Shine, a party on the Saturday night of the event, vendors, the awards ceremony - and the public will witness the Broadway Cruz, with the vehicles parading up Seaside's main drag. The majority of the events are free.

Contact Seaside Downtown Development Association at (503-717-1914) or Gary Diebolt at Flashback Promotions (503-717-8530). www.seasidedowntown.com .

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