Classic cars roll into Creede for the weekend

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Photos by Lyndsie Ferrell and Keith R. Cerny The 1965 Ford F100 featured in the following article won Best of Show for the 2021 Cruisin’ the Canyon Fall Color Car Show in Creede this past weekend. Creede Main Street was hopping with people from all over the U.S. who came to enjoy the annual Cruisin’ the Canyon Fall Color Car Show. More than 100 vehicles lined the street on Saturday.

CREEDE — Vehicles of all shapes, sizes, years, makes, and models graced Main Street in Creede over the weekend. When it was all done and said, 113 vehicles participated in the annual Cruisin’ the Canyon Fall Color Car Show and made for one awesome trip down memory lane.

“We are local and come every year but this year it just seems different, and we are really having a great time,” said South Fork resident Karen Miller.

Each vehicle came with a story as guests and car enthusiasts wandered up and down the main drag. Kathleen Murphy, director of the Creede and Mineral County Chamber of Commerce, staffed the People’s Choice voting booth while a dee-jay pelted out golden oldies from the sound system that could be heard two blocks north and south of Basham Park. It was the perfect combination with the beautiful fall afternoon.

One story stood out as people wandered Main Street and it belonged to a 1965 Ford Pickup. The owner shared his story which follows, “Fond memories of family and times with this 65’ Ford Pickup kept the dream alive of one day redoing this old Ford. My grandfather bought this pickup with a slide-in camper (the hope to still fix up the camper is still on the list) and a boat after he was diagnosed with cancer. He enjoyed camping and fishing in many state parks and using the old pickup on the farm.”

The story continues to state that after his passing, the owner’s parents kept the pickup and camper in hope of someday fixing it up, but it was until their son was older that he was able to start the project.

“The memories are kept alive by keeping the visible wear on the truck although the damaging rust was repaired. Airbrushing was used to blend the new with the old to recreate the condition the truck was in for many years while it took a long rest in the family barn. The inside was redone to give the pickup new life and a chance to once again travel the backroads of America.”

The car show is the brainchild of Holy Moses Gift Shop owners Vicki and Nick Kulyk. For the last five years, the event has consistently brought at least 100 cars to participate in the show.

Friday evening's Meet and Greet featured appetizers from some of Creede’s restaurants — Arp’s at the Creede Hotel, the Antlers Restaurant and Lodge, Kip’s Grill, Tommyknocker Tavern and BBQ Bistro, and Bristol Head Bakery.

Saturday morning cars, trucks, and motorcycles lined up along Main Street. At high noon local Stephanie Hester kicked off the event with a beautiful singing of the U.S. national anthem.

The street filled with spectators admiring their favorite vehicle and deciding on their favorite entry to vote for the People’s Choice Award.

The show and shine concluded with an awards ceremony at 3 p.m. Trophy Sponsors select their favorite vehicle. Eminent Creations and Repair, Inc. designed and created this year’s trophies. George Regan built the Don Pacheco Award. Chris Clark from Alamosa built this year’s People’s Choice Award.

Saturday concludes with a Rod Run along the Silver Thread Scenic Byway to North Clear Creek Falls and burgers at the famous Freemon’s Guest Ranch and General Store.

Car Show Results
• Creede Baptist Church — 1957 Chevy Bel Air, Alamosa
• Downstream Gas & Mercantile — 1957 Chevy Bel Air, Alamosa
• Del Norte Bank — 1974 Plymouth Barracuda, Monte Vista
• Broken Arrow — 1963 Ford Galaxie, Dolores
• Cooley & Sons — 2005 Chevy Corvette Daytona Sunset Orange, Lakewood
• San Juan Sports — 1978 Chevy El Camino, Alamosa
• Tommyknocker Tavern — 1962 Ford Fairlane, Monte Vista
• MJ’s Cafe — 1934 Chevy Pickup, Bayfield
• Ears to U — 2014 Indian Vintage Classic, Punta de Agua, N.M.
• Mines & Memories General Store — 1965 Mercury Comet, Basque Farms, N.M.
• C. Waters Gallery — 2005 Stewart and Stevenson Little Mule, Creede
• Tomkins Hardware — 1963 Plymouth Barracuda, Parker
• Creede Repertory Theatre — 1932 Ford Roadster, Alamosa
• Kentucky Belle Market — 1957 Chevy Truck, Alamosa
• Creede ATV — 1962 Studebaker GT Hawk, South Fork
• Square Peg Brewerks — 1939 Chevy Sedan Delivery, Farmington, N.M.
• Snowshoe Lodge — 1979 Cadillac Hearse, Mountainair, N.M.
• Creede Olive Oil Company — 1970 Ford Torino Cobra, Colorado Springs
• Creede Trading Post — 1953 Ford Victoria, Monte Vista
• Aspen Inn — 1935 Ford Pickup, Pagosa Springs
• People’s Choice Award — 2005 Stewart and Stevenson Little Mule, Creede
• Don Pacheco Award — 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, Alamosa
• Best of Show/Holy Moses — 1965 Ford F100 Pickup, Gypsum
• Northern New Mexico Street Rodders — 1934 Chevy Pickup, Bayfield
Creede’s Cruisin’ the Canyon occurs the third weekend of September. Next year's car show will be Sept. 16-18. For information about the area, event, and Silver Thread Scenic Byway contact the Creede/Mineral County Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call 719-658-2374 or email [email protected].


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