Hot rods galore....

[Outdoorsfool]

If any of you hands like custom rods and bikes and are going to be in the Lake Ozark area this weekend, this figures to be a helluva show. It's typically a big show, but this year is also the 75th anniversary of the dam and creation of Lake O, so it could be huge.

The hot rods are coming
Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals car show
By Justin Ludwig/Lake Sun
Published: Friday, April 28, 2006 1:28 AM CDT
E-mail this story | Print this page

The Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals car show, set for May 5-7 along the Bagnell Dam Strip in Lake Ozark, is the largest open class car show in Central Missouri, typically attracting more than 10,000 visitors and 700 street rods, customs, trucks, street machines, led sleds and motorcycles from across the country.
LAKE OF THE OZARKS ? Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Bagnell Dam and the birth of the Lake of the Ozarks, classic show cars will cross the engineering marvel in unison during the 18th annual Lake of the Ozarks Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals car show.

The commemorative car cruise, ?75 years of Cars,? is just one part of the annual show, which is expected to draw record crowds, show organizers said.

?The cruise will honor the first historic crossing of (the) Bagnell Dam,? Alan Sullivan, the event?s chairman, said. ?The oldest show car will cross first, and newest will be last. It should be quite a fascinating sight.?

The annual event, set for May 5-7 along the Bagnell Dam Strip in Lake Ozark, is the largest open class car show in Central Missouri, typically attracting more than 10,000 visitors and 700 street rods, customs, trucks, street machines, led sleds and motorcycles from across the country.

For participants, the Street Meet will offer a chance to show their prized vehicles and earn honors. Entrants will be judged in a variety of show classes for domestic and imported vehicles, along with choice and specialty awards, including best supercharged, best interior, best exterior and more.

There will be a few changes from last year?s show ? three awards, instead of two, will be given in each major category.

?People invest a lot in their cars and they are proud of them, and as a result we want to recognize as many people as possible for their efforts,? Sullivan said. ?We believe the more people who leave with a trophy in their hands, the better they?ll feel about our show and want to come back.?

For the first time, a Grand Champion prize will also be awarded for the best car, truck or motorcycle in the entire show.

?The winner will receive a large trophy, a commemorative plaque of the 75th anniversary of Bagnell Dam and $200 in cash. Also, the winner?s vehicle will be featured on the 2007 Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals Car Show T-shirt,? he said.

Many spectator events are also planned, including a sound competition, vendor booths, evening cruises and trophy presentations.

One event from the 2005 show which will be returning this year - the Model Car Make-n-Take - gives children of all ages the chance to assemble their own model car and take it home, all free of charge. Show hours are 12-5 p.m., Friday; 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday; and 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Sunday.

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, 1 p.m., Sunday.

The cruise will start at 4 p.m., Friday, May 5. Participation is free and cars do not have to be registered in the show, but they must be show cars, Sullivan said. Cruisers will meet at 3 p.m., Friday, May 5, at Carl?s Two parking lot on Business 54 to organize.

The 2006 show is sponsored by Missouri Eagle, Big Surf/Big Shot, AmerenUE and Harley Davidson Lake of the Ozarks, in cooperation with the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lake Ozark.

[burchtree]

Sounds like quite the show --

[Tigerhaze]

So how was it?

[Triton X2]

i was up there last year fishing a tournament and it was very very crowded.

[Outdoorsfool]

It was a good show, but not sure I'd do it again. Triton hit the nail on the head. It was VERY crowded...not just the show, but all parking lots, shops and restaurants in the area. I had been to it when they held the show in Osage Beach at the community college campus and that wasn't bad. You could get in and walk around without a lot of hassle. Having the show on the Lake O strip is a zoo. The shut down the entire strip area and parked cars in the street. Closest parking, if you chose to walk into the show was across the dam. There was some parking at the (old) American Legion below the dam and they had a few shuttles running from there and other lots farther away. The boy wanted to walk over the dam so we did. We spent over 3 hours walking and saw maybe about 1/2 the cars. I ended up carrying him before the afternoon was over. Good show and lots of high dollar hot rods, but they need to find a better location. I doubt I'll go back as long as they hold it on the strip.