In this their 41st year, the Wheels of Time Rod & Custom Jamboree rolls into Macungie Memorial Park Aug. 23-25.
This annual show includes over 1,500 street rods and custom cars, 1989 or older, and will include a dragster or two.
Each vehicle is an individual creation representing American innovation and creativity and is a unique expression of performance and style by its owners. And for that, 20 participants’ cars will be given the Coveted Wheels of Time award.
Wheels of Time is a representation of a street rod and custom car hobby that is a part of American culture. It’s one of the largest all-volunteer event in the the nation and annually draws over 20,000 spectators.
But aside from all the neat cars and rods of yesteryear that are worth more now than when they were new, the show also gives back to the local charities. According to Al Breen, a veteran Wheels of Time volunteer, the show generates and donates an average of $60,000 to local charities. And to date, over $1,300,000 has been given to local community organizations. They’ve also awarded more than 300 scholarships to students interested in automotive building. These, and hundreds of pints of blood have been given to the Miller-Keystone Blood Center, which will again have their blood mobile on site Sunday of the show for willing donors.
This year’s show will feature Valve Cover Racing, the always attractive Teeter Totter where drivers and their cars attempt to balance their vehicle on a see-saw designed for cars. The winners receive a prize.
With over 250 vendors, most automotive related and collectibles, there will be activities and entertainment for the entire family. The main celebrity this year is Actor Horny Mike and his road show that includes his custom truck and trailer, robotic three-wheeler. There will also be TV show cars representing the Flintstone car and the DeLorean coupe from Back To The Future.
The show kicks off with the annual Friday Night Cruise through Macungie and Emmaus. Two-hundred vehicles will stage at Allen Organ in Macungie and the parade officially gets underway at 6:30 p.m. The route will leave Allen Organ and head south on Route 100, turn left on Buckeye Road., will turn left on Route 29 (Chestnut St.) and go through Emmaus. From there it will turn left onto Harrison St., pass Emmaus High School then turn right on Cedar Crest Blvd. From there it will proceed left on Lower Macungie Road then left on Willow Lane and back to Route 100. A left turn takes the vehicles back to the park. So spectators are invited to get out their chairs anywhere along the route to see these beauties of the past.
Entertainment this year kicks off Friday at 7 p.m., when Elvis (Jeff Krick and his Ultimate Elvis Tribute) takes the stage. Strolling the park all day Saturday is the always popular Allentown Hobo Matching Band. Then beginning at 7 p.m., Saturday, Flamin’ Dick and the Hot Rods will be on stage to entertain showgoers until 10 p.m.
Other activities are the Car Corral where you can pick up a deal on a car, truck or custom rod, a cake walk for the ladies, bingo, gift basket raffle, crafts, flea market and an auction of merchandise and supplemented by Buckeye Pipeline with unique items for sale with proceeds benefitting the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
If you’re building your own rod or custom car, Kutztown Auto has donated a small block Chevy motor that will be raffled off on Sunday at the show. Eastwood Auto has also donated a welder for the Sunday raffle with tickets for both available at the main tent.
Other sponsors include Blast from the Past Rod Shop, Wood Naturally, Poor Boy’s World Polishing and Detail Products, Costco,Doggy Style hot dog shop and Motor Works Plus of Emmaus.
The show opens each day at 7 a.m. with admission at $10 (under 16 free) or bring a non-perishable food item that goes to a local food bank and get $2 voucher for food and merchandise.
Speaking of food, there will be a host of food stands and for the kids, Macungie Pool will be open for swimming.
For additional information and in particular if you want to enter a vehicle, go to www.wheelsoftime.org.
