One of the things I loved about Paso was sitting on the wall in front of the Inn on friday and watching the cars roll into town, it was an all day show as the cars p***ed the park, and then parked in the area. In Santa Maria, my impression is that people go straight to their hotels, then do the cruise, then go into the fairgrounds the next day. There's no constant, all day cruising in front of the hotel, thursday nite thru sat nite. I loved that the cars actually moved, listening to the open exausts, rather than look at a bunch of parked cars. Most of the hotels were on Spring st, and just driving down Spring looking into the motel parking lots was great. I have absolutely no problem with Penny making a buck thru charging admission, but I'm just not a fan of fairground shows. I went to Paso from 1992 thru 2007 and loved it, and I've been to all the Santa Maria shows, (which I'll continue to do) but to be honest, Santa Maria doesn't come close to Paso for me. From what I remember Paso treated Penny badly, while Santa Maria was great to her, so I understand why she doesn't go back.
I just noticed a pic of you at the ventura show, which is held at the fairgrounds. Seems odd how you have problem with going to santa maria fairgrounds but went to a fairground show in ventura. hmmmm. Gary
Cayucos would be awesome. Two cars show there in a year would be sweet! They have another first weekend of November. The Tavern has to be one of the best bars in the world!
I started goin to Paso roughly 14 years ago with my dad. stumbled on it driving back with a 59 chevy on back of our truck. And we've been in love ever since. when i heard of the "issues" Paso had with the crowd/cars/partying....or whatever, I knew it was a matter of time before it would come to a head. when the SM show was announced i was bummed at first, but trekked on regardless. I haven't missed one since. yeah, so i gotta drive an extra distance. but i'm not commuting it everyday, month, or week. it's once a year, and i can live with that. I wouldn't go slamming WCK as they were put behind the 8 ball, and i'm glad they kept the wind in their sails to keep my Memorial days busy every year. Yeah, sure Paso was romantic, but all good things come to an end. Not going to SM just for the sake of it "feeling like a Goodguys show or a fair" is like shooting your toe to spite your foot. and that's just dumb. the money at the gate is going to WCK, not some big corporation building nuclear arms or funding the al queda.....c'mon it's once a year. These cats could've just folded their cards and said "to hell with it", but they didn't, and I applaud them for it. If we're looking for the novelty of Paso, then my suggestion to WCK is to fill up my Labor Day slot by finding another small town with open arms. My vote: San Juan Bautista, downtown Monterey, or even San Luis Obispo. we were all in love with the freedom from being confined to chain link fences, but SM has been hosting a growing show that I can't see giving up. Lastly, i say put the swap on the gr*** toward the back. After i cruise thru all the cars in the front, i might feel inspired to buy things I don't need......just dont' tell my wife that.
1. Have a cruise friday and saturday night. 2. saturday cruise back to the fairgrounds for a rockabilly concert and dance (imelda May. youtube .Johnny got aboom boom oficial video) 3. saturday night women rollerderby at the fairgrounds . 4. outdoor movie at the fairgrounds on Saturday night. 5 Swapmeet on saturday and sunday. 6.Big bbq with tiki bar on Saturday at the fairgrounds. 7. Awards for the stars on Saturday night at the fairgrounds.8 Not having fun yet ? Bored? go wait in the car until sunday and go home.. he he Thanks Johnny Ray
I went to PASO the last year and enjoyed it immensely. It really felt like a vacation to me as I traveled from AZ. I went the next year to SM hoping for the same experience and was sadly disappointed. Santa Maria has a Ghetto feel with a circus atmosphere. Paso had a laid back atmosphere with a bit of cl*** and a relaxing feel. Paso was an an experience and SM is well, just another car show. Hopefully nobody will steal your hubcaps if you park anywhere around town, like they did mine.
Everyone of you people *****ing about how the show is terrible and how the atmosphere is different can kiss my .... No I dont live in cali or have I been to any of those shows, but I can tell you this... YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE OR WHAT YOUR MISSING!!! I wish we had shows even 1/4 as cool as any of the Santa Maria shows and I can say that based on the pictures and the things I read from people who do go! First, a show is as good as YOU make it. If you dont like the atmosphere then bring your own and make it the way you want it. Second, You guys who complain that its not Paso... So What!!! Make this one better by doing something instead of typing ****. If you want another Paso then try to set up a show of this caliber and you will see what all is involved. I used to do shows here in NC and Va. and I will tell you that it aint easy or cheap! Third, you have not been in 5+ years then dont talk **** about what you dont know! Go again and then you will have a podium to speak from! Lastly, to the organizers. Keep up the good work. No show is perfect but by asking for the feedback you will make this one better! I will attend this show WITH MY CAR one day and I will probably have a smile for a mile when I have to leave! If you dont like what I typed then tough cause the truth hurts!
My wife and I LOVE the SM show!!! Will be there every year and thank you very much for all the hard work!!!!!! Paso is in the past , SM is in the now!!!
I've been attending paso/ santa maria years now.Maybe I'm wrong but I thought this show no matter where it's held was about the cars and the people. The north and south and the diehard car guys who drove their cars from all over the country.I've attended the round up, that's held a the fairgrounds now, still a great show. Santa Maria is good and it will get better.
im with you! its funny how everybody complains about paying to go into the fair grounds. if we have to pay $50 plus to drive our cars in, you could pay your $12 to see them. penny and crew thanks for putting on a great show!
I very much enjoyed this show,thank you guys for all your hard work and can't wait to see what the coming years will bring See you next year.
I agree with both of you, my wife and I also love going every year and dont mind paying the $12 to see these *****in rides and the hard work that goes into them. For those of you stuck in the whole Paso shows do your homework your lovely Paso was the one that did not want the show their anymore. Penny & WCK crew keep up the great work
Actually since you never have been to one of our shows, you don't have any thing to say on the subject. I do know what we have and know what we are missing. That's why i don't go to SM any more, because we have better. The show in SM hasn't even been around for five years, so take your own advice and don't talk about what you dont know. If you do attend this show I'm sure you will have a smile on your face, after all it is a show in cali and there are some great cars, but if you would have went to Paso, the you would know that it was better in every way. People who never went to Paso can't compare the two. People who haven't been to either really don't have any thing to say about the subject at all because they don't know what they are talking about. If you don't like what I typed then tough cause the truth hurts!
Paso is dead, not sure how many more times people have to say that. I for one really enjoy Santa Maria, it's actually one of the few shows I really look forward to. Great cars and WCK does a great job putting this event on keep up the good work guys. I do agree that the awards should be Saturday night though. Maybe we wern't paying attention but we didn't know when the bands were playing, maybe have the guy on the P.A. shout out a heads up when bands are getting ready to play. Other than that we had a great time and will see you again next year!
I was a first time vendor at SM which meant I didn't get to experience every inch of the show like a civilian but I loved what I did experience. Nice crowd vibe, some amazing cars sitting under trees with windows rolled down, club members happily talking cars, families having fun and lovers in love. The fairgrounds are practically in town so it's an easy commute to the small town "action." I appreciate the low spectator fee and also appreciate the chain link fence. To me it means that everyone there digs cars and the car scene enough to pay to get in. And thank you for not charging the vendors outrageous space fees. From a vendor point of view I'd like to see the show integrated with the vendors a bit more. When I'm vending I miss the cars and music. How about bringing both into the buildings? Not too many cars to create foot traffic problems and not too loud to prevent talking but create a cool place to shop and enjoy the scene like the Suede Palace at GNRS. I feel like I'm selling in a bad mall at half the shows and I wonder if the spectators feel that way too.
Well I'm glad this thread got back on the right track. It started turning into a what I missed about Paso thread. WCK don't get discouraged! I also noticed the same guys *****ing about Santa Maria are knocking the upcoming Ink and Iron. I don't get, if you don't like it stay home. But don't make it sound like- " I don't like it. I'm not going and everybody is really going to miss me and my car"
To all of you who miss Paso I can tell you that the people who live there probably do miss their old Paso too. I drove through there a month ago and did not recognize the city center. Brand new ugly multi story construction everywhere. The small town vibe is completely gone and the park will probably not last much longer. Corporate and Municipal greed at its very finest.
OK ...First, A HUGE THANK YOU PENNY for brining the show to SANTA MARIA. This city will work with you better than most cities in CA. WE are NOT "***holes" like the folks in PASO. For the complainers that cry for the old PASO show... STAY HOME.... better yet dont even chime in on this topic anymore. PASO put PENNY through hell...but im sure you dont care about that...being selfish and all. Until you organize an event, you will not understand all of the "red tape" and headaches that comes with it. Why would she even think of going back to hell hole Paso. I would have to agree with the few that mentioned the security aspect of an enclosed show.... wouldnt want some dip **** kid wandering around on his skate board or bike scratching my paint!! Oh and the folks walking their dogs around ****ping in the gr*** and ******* on tires (seen it before). For those that dont know exactly where Santa Maria sits on the map...we are on the CENTRAL COAST OF CALIFORNIA.... C-E-N-T-R-A-L.....Moving the show an hour North or South will not make a damn difference ....people come from ALL OVER to attend this show. You think the group that came from Japan gives a ****??? Quit suggesting to move it an hour closer to "your location" just becaue you can't put an extra $30 in your gas tank. Im going to this show where ever its held. If Penny moves it from here then all I could say is ...."It was fun while we had it" Improvements: 1. FOOD - Im going to side with the complaints..... over priced fair food is not good. 2. Hours of operation for the show should go longer.... 3. Cruise route should be extended which should not be a problem (Im one of the guys that sign off on your Good Neighbor Application for the city!!!!) Lastly.... We appreciate the hard work that goes into this show and ALL of the people that make it happen. To the people that bring their cars and attend the event....THANK YOU TOO...The show will go on as they say and there will ALWAYS be complainers... NO ONE will ever be completely satisfied. PENNY... Keep up the great work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well all i can say is ..STAY IN ARIZONA. No one said this is a "resort town"... If you are looking for a real vacation ...go to Tahiti ... This ghetto will enjoy WEST COAST KUSTOMS while we have it... And as far as your hubcaps go, you should have attended the swapmeet on sunday...im sure they would have sold them back to you!!
x2 <a href=http://www.getsmileyface.com><img src=http://www.getsmileyface.com/sm/happy/1074.gif border=0><br><font face=arial size=1>Smiley Face</font></a><a href=http://www.getsmileyface.com><img src=http://www.getsmileyface.com/sm/happy/1074.gif border=0><br><font face=arial size=1>Smiley Face</font></a><a href=http://www.getsmileyface.com><img src=http://www.getsmileyface.com/sm/happy/1055.gif border=0><br><font face=arial size=1>Smiley Face</font></a>
This is the problem "sleepy" little towns generally don't want 800 cars rolling into their downtown core for 3 or 4 days. While some retailers may love the extra business this would generate most citizens of a small town do not want the "disruption" that a show like this would bring and I am sure it wouldn't take long before any "new" town raised the same complaints Paso did.
Well said brother.... The small towns are generally mom and pop... meaning exactly what you said....800 cars rolling in will disrupt their small business. If they dont own a motel, bar or restaurant, ...they will go to city council to complain and then...the show is gone!! This is why Paso didnt work... GET THE HINT PEOPLE!!!
You seriously are going to bring the Tailban into this thread.....REALLY DUDE.... The Taliban hate ALL americans for being AMERICAN....not because Westcoast Kustoms move to Santa Maria.... This thread just went South..im out!
Been going to West Coast Kustoms shows since 1985. From the NORTH COAST REDWOOD RUN to BACK TO THE BEACH and all those in between. Paso was great, but one hell of alot of work. We put on the first WINE TOUR CRUISE (taking people around in a bus, donating to a lot of city causes and joining the city Chamber of commerce,ect-ect-ect.) In the end the city put too many restriction on the club to make it a go. Penny had no choice but to look for another place that would have us. Paso wanted to restrict the event to a MAX of 500 cars. No PRIMER at all. Must have been show Quality and NO VENDERS period. Plus many more restrictions requiring a steep increase in monetary outlay up front. So if your car is a SHOW CAR with no primer with alot of money to pay for a very steep increase in entry fees to cover the cost to put on another PASO show, go ahead and keep *****ing. To all the rest of us, I'll see you next year in SANTA MARIA. To me this is more than a car show, it's a gathering of OLD friends and friends I have yet to meet.
Hey if we're throwing "sleepy towns" in the mix, why not move it to ................. Hollister .................. Hell, 10,000 Harley's invade that town every 4th of July. And the City holds their hands out every time to collect the revenue from tickets generated from exhibition of speed. The've figured out how to make the best of it. Paso is trying to become Napa. Its all the wine manufactures there that wanted us out. We were tainting their image.
Any of you serious showgoers date back to the '70s and Lodi? It was the original cast for what was to become Paso. The WCK used to hold their show at Los Banos. Then came Paso...(the whole town was 'Rod & Custom' all weekend, like Lodi had been) Los Banos was the model for Santa Maria. Closed fairgrounds, 'concentration show' atmosphere. It just gets good, then back again. "Get over it"? I'm over it.
The first year they had roller skating at one or the buildings at the fair grounds. It worked out kool for the kids. They should bring that back.
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