Kirk Boxleitner, Marysville Globe
LAKEWOOD — The Faith Lutheran Church of Lakewood started the Hot August Car Show nine years ago to help support two local food banks, and while its numbers of entrants have declined over the years, the event’s organizers still see the spirit of community giving as strong as ever among those who show off their cars and those who come by to check them out.
This year’s Hot August Car Show runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 11424 172nd St. NE, one mile west of I-5 Exit 206 and right next to Lakewood High School, and event organizer Jane Hogland hopes to see at least as many cars as last year.
“Last year was probably our smallest turnout,” Hogland said. “We had about 20 cars entered, few enough that we were able to give everyone who entered a ribbon or a trophy. We started quite strong nine years ago, with about 50 or 60, but a number of other car shows have popped up in the area in the meantime. We’ve got a number of people who keep coming back, though.”
Hogland explained that the Hot August Car Show was intended not only to raise awareness of the Faith Lutheran Church of Lakewood, but also to demonstrate its commitment to supporting its surrounding community. Each year’s proceeds are split between the Arlington Community Food Bank and the Stillaguamish Senior Center Food Bank.
“One of our church members was a librarian in Arlington, and she was well aware of the need facing that community,” Hogland said. “With the Stillaguamish Senior Center, those are people who are living on limited incomes, so again, we’re helping those who need it.”
Hogland estimated that the Hot August Car Show has raised a total of approximately $8,000 since its inception, thanks in part to donations of $400 each year from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
“Everything is donated and everyone volunteers their efforts, so there’s no profit anywhere,” Hogland said. “One gentleman who comes back year after year to show off his cars has donated a lot of the money for our prizes and other materials, and a lot of our church members bring baskets that they make for the prizes. Karen Hart makes the most incredible cinnamon rolls for us,” she laughed.
According to Hogland, each year’s entrants are just as committed to continuing the car show as they are to contributing to its charitable causes.
“We’ll open the car show at 9 a.m., but they’ll be there at 7 a.m.,” Hogland said. “One couple has brought two or three different cars over in a trailer from Wenatchee. One of them was a stainless steel Model A, which I’d never seen before. Car shows are just so family friendly, because everyone there has worked really hard on their cars just to get to where they could show them off. I enjoy meeting people in such an easygoing, low-key setting.”
For more information, call Hogland at 425-501-9414 or the Faith Lutheran Church of Lakewood at 360-652-9545, or log onto www.smokeypointlutheranchurch.org.