Go Greased Lightning! Temecula Rod Run Rolls Into Old Town

“Why, this car is automatic…it’s systematic…its hyyyyyyyyydromatic! Why it’s greased lightning!

Hot rods were at the center of the T-Bird’s universe (don’t tell the Pink Ladies) and, considering the annual Temecula Rod Run is one of the biggest and most anticipated events in Old Town each year, these bitchin’ Camaros are obviously a big part of life in the Inland Empire as well.

From archway to archway, Front Street in Old Town will once again be closed off to moving vehicles this weekend, but that doesn’t mean the streets won’t be lined with cars. Formerly a biannual event, the 2015 Temecula Rod Run is now exclusively a spring fling that brings thousands of car guys and car gals to check out hundreds of varieties of the objects of their affections.

(“Keep talking…whoa, keep talking…)

The Temecula Rod Run is an opportunity for automobile enthusiasts to show off their prized possessions, as long as the vehicles on display are from 1975 or older and are “shined to show.”

(“I’ll get the money! I’ll kill to get the money!)

No money needed because the two-day event is free to the public and begins on Friday evening at 5:00 pm with Cruise Night, where pre-registered participants will show off their hot rods in action.

Friday night concludes with the Smokin’ Cobras providing live entertainment at the Town Square Stage and “Art Off the Walls” at the Truax Building on the corner of 3rd and Mercedes; both from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Additional live bands can be found at restaurants and bars all over Front Street to add a little more motoring music.

The main event takes place on Saturday, March 7th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, where the hot rods will appear in all their glory for the public to see. Judging of these shiny sedans will take place until 2:00 pm, with awards being given out at 3:00 pm on the Town Square Stage.

Even if you aren’t a huge car lover, the Temecula Rod Run has events and activities for every member of the family. A Fun Zone will be set up for the kids from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in Town Square, with music on the main stage throughout the day, including the Hot Rod Trio at 11:00 am and Jonnie Fox & the Satinettes at 1:00 pm.

The Boy Scouts of America will present their Pinewood Derby homemade toy car races at the Civic Center quad from 9:00 am to noon.

Hot rodding make you hungry? Food and drink vendors will be on hand and Old Town’s popular restaurants will all be open, some offering specials, for Rod Run attendees.

Parking will be available in the Old Town Garage located at 28690 Mercedes Street, as well as many off site locations with convenient shuttles to the event at TVE2 located at 43200 Business Park Drive, Park and Ride off Old Town Front Street and Hwy 79, and the dirt lot on the corner of Santiago and Ynez Roads. Shuttles will run on Saturday ONLY from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

For Rod Run event and parking information, please visit temeculaevents.org/temecularodrun/.

So, go greased lightning because the Temecula Rod Run 2015 is sure to be, in the words of Danny Zuko, a “rockin’ and rollin’ and what not” good time.

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