My 2 centavos.... 1. I always enjoyed the evening music at the gazebo in the park at Paso. Maybe a little late afternoon/ early evening entertainment in the parking lot back at the SM Inn. Something needs to take place outside in the parking lot. Nice try with the DJ this year but the music was not great. 2. How about doing something on Saturday night on the roof of the SM Inn parking garage?? That place was just about empty and has plenty of space for bands at night. (NOTE: It seems that what people really miss about Paso was the feeling of community. The complaints about the "fairground show" (IMO) seem to be more about being forced to stay in one area without it feeling like we want to congregate in one area. A roof top event or something that draws people to back to the Inn would feel nice (IMHO)) 3. Registration. There should be a late night option for registration. Many people get int town late on Friday evening because of work schedules. Having to pick up you reg on Saturday morning is tough if you make it into town late on Friday. 4. I agree that the back lawn felt like the left overs. It would be cool to have vendors in the back area. Actually I don;t see why you couldn't have vendors and part sellers (swap) at the back far end all day on Saturday. 5. I don't have any issues with the food. We brought our own little grill and beverages. No problems here! 6. I agree with others about having the front ate area as a staging area. 7. The cruise strip should be longer (more blocks) if allowed by the city. 8. We should be allowed to enter the cruise from side streets. I got stuck on a side street that came to a dead-end at the high school and had to beg to be let in from a side street. NONE OF THIS IS A COMPLAINT. I DIG THE SHOW AND WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR! THANKS FOR ALL THOSE THAT MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!
^Gooz, other people can pick up your registration if they get there before you. you don't have to show ID when picking up your packet.
the other thing about Paso was the location. It wasn't a "nor-cal" show and it wasn't a "so-cal" show. It was somewhat in the middle for everybody (somewhat). The cruise at Paso seemed more like a "natural" thing, Santa Maria looks more like an official parade. Paso Robles is a snobby little town, it's wine country! They could give a crap about the show being gone, they're happy with the mid-state fair If the show were moved south it would kinda be a so-cal show....kinda. It would be cool if it were somewhere in the middle....but not a big town. Or moved back to Paso!! Morro Bay? Pismo? PORTERVILLE! (hells angels came here in '63!) Exeter? (off the beaten path but nice) Cayucos? I have a feeling it'll stay in Santa Maria
One of the things I loved about Paso was sitting on the wall in front of the Inn on friday and watching the cars roll into town, it was an all day show as the cars passed the park, and then parked in the area. In Santa Maria, my impression is that people go straight to their hotels, then do the cruise, then go into the fairgrounds the next day. There's no constant, all day cruising in front of the hotel, thursday nite thru sat nite. I loved that the cars actually moved, listening to the open exausts, rather than look at a bunch of parked cars. Most of the hotels were on Spring st, and just driving down Spring looking into the motel parking lots was great. I have absolutely no problem with Penny making a buck thru charging admission, but I'm just not a fan of fairground shows. I went to Paso from 1992 thru 2007 and loved it, and I've been to all the Santa Maria shows, (which I'll continue to do) but to be honest, Santa Maria doesn't come close to Paso for me. From what I remember Paso treated Penny badly, while Santa Maria was great to her, so I understand why she doesn't go back.
I just noticed a pic of you at the ventura show, which is held at the fairgrounds. Seems odd how you have problem with going to santa maria fairgrounds but went to a fairground show in ventura. hmmmm. Gary
Cayucos would be awesome. Two cars show there in a year would be sweet! They have another first weekend of November. The Tavern has to be one of the best bars in the world!
I think DE SOTO might have meant that he's bummed out about PASO being turned into "just another fairground show". The vibe at Paso was more of a big hangout, where as Santa Maria seems more like a structured/orchestrated event. Of course any event is what you & your crew make of it, but like I mentioned before, the "cruise" at Santa Maria seems more like a planned parade. While Paso's cruise seemed just like a....cruise around town. Cayucos is a cool town. Do they have enough space? Like a decent sized park or something?
I started goin to Paso roughly 14 years ago with my dad. stumbled on it driving back with a 59 chevy on back of our truck. And we've been in love ever since. when i heard of the "issues" Paso had with the crowd/cars/partying....or whatever, I knew it was a matter of time before it would come to a head. when the SM show was announced i was bummed at first, but trekked on regardless. I haven't missed one since. yeah, so i gotta drive an extra distance. but i'm not commuting it everyday, month, or week. it's once a year, and i can live with that. I wouldn't go slamming WCK as they were put behind the 8 ball, and i'm glad they kept the wind in their sails to keep my Memorial days busy every year. Yeah, sure Paso was romantic, but all good things come to an end. Not going to SM just for the sake of it "feeling like a Goodguys show or a fair" is like shooting your toe to spite your foot. and that's just dumb. the money at the gate is going to WCK, not some big corporation building nuclear arms or funding the al queda.....c'mon it's once a year. These cats could've just folded their cards and said "to hell with it", but they didn't, and I applaud them for it. If we're looking for the novelty of Paso, then my suggestion to WCK is to fill up my Labor Day slot by finding another small town with open arms. My vote: San Juan Bautista, downtown Monterey, or even San Luis Obispo. we were all in love with the freedom from being confined to chain link fences, but SM has been hosting a growing show that I can't see giving up. Lastly, i say put the swap on the grass toward the back. After i cruise thru all the cars in the front, i might feel inspired to buy things I don't need......just dont' tell my wife that.
1. Have a cruise friday and saturday night. 2. saturday cruise back to the fairgrounds for a rockabilly concert and dance (imelda May. youtube .Johnny got aboom boom oficial video) 3. saturday night women rollerderby at the fairgrounds . 4. outdoor movie at the fairgrounds on Saturday night. 5 Swapmeet on saturday and sunday. 6.Big bbq with tiki bar on Saturday at the fairgrounds. 7. Awards for the stars on Saturday night at the fairgrounds.8 Not having fun yet ? Bored? go wait in the car until sunday and go home.. he he Thanks Johnny Ray
I went to PASO the last year and enjoyed it immensely. It really felt like a vacation to me as I traveled from AZ. I went the next year to SM hoping for the same experience and was sadly disappointed. Santa Maria has a Ghetto feel with a circus atmosphere. Paso had a laid back atmosphere with a bit of class and a relaxing feel. Paso was an an experience and SM is well, just another car show. Hopefully nobody will steal your hubcaps if you park anywhere around town, like they did mine.
Everyone of you people bitching about how the show is terrible and how the atmosphere is different can kiss my .... No I dont live in cali or have I been to any of those shows, but I can tell you this... YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE OR WHAT YOUR MISSING!!! I wish we had shows even 1/4 as cool as any of the Santa Maria shows and I can say that based on the pictures and the things I read from people who do go! First, a show is as good as YOU make it. If you dont like the atmosphere then bring your own and make it the way you want it. Second, You guys who complain that its not Paso... So What!!! Make this one better by doing something instead of typing crap. If you want another Paso then try to set up a show of this caliber and you will see what all is involved. I used to do shows here in NC and Va. and I will tell you that it aint easy or cheap! Third, you have not been in 5+ years then dont talk shit about what you dont know! Go again and then you will have a podium to speak from! Lastly, to the organizers. Keep up the good work. No show is perfect but by asking for the feedback you will make this one better! I will attend this show WITH MY CAR one day and I will probably have a smile for a mile when I have to leave! If you dont like what I typed then tough cause the truth hurts!
My wife and I LOVE the SM show!!! Will be there every year and thank you very much for all the hard work!!!!!! Paso is in the past , SM is in the now!!!
I've been attending paso/ santa maria years now.Maybe I'm wrong but I thought this show no matter where it's held was about the cars and the people. The north and south and the diehard car guys who drove their cars from all over the country.I've attended the round up, that's held a the fairgrounds now, still a great show. Santa Maria is good and it will get better.
im with you! its funny how everybody complains about paying to go into the fair grounds. if we have to pay $50 plus to drive our cars in, you could pay your $12 to see them. penny and crew thanks for putting on a great show!
I very much enjoyed this show,thank you guys for all your hard work and can't wait to see what the coming years will bring See you next year.
I agree with both of you, my wife and I also love going every year and dont mind paying the $12 to see these bitchin rides and the hard work that goes into them. For those of you stuck in the whole Paso shows do your homework your lovely Paso was the one that did not want the show their anymore. Penny & WCK crew keep up the great work
Actually since you never have been to one of our shows, you don't have any thing to say on the subject. I do know what we have and know what we are missing. That's why i don't go to SM any more, because we have better. The show in SM hasn't even been around for five years, so take your own advice and don't talk about what you dont know. If you do attend this show I'm sure you will have a smile on your face, after all it is a show in cali and there are some great cars, but if you would have went to Paso, the you would know that it was better in every way. People who never went to Paso can't compare the two. People who haven't been to either really don't have any thing to say about the subject at all because they don't know what they are talking about. If you don't like what I typed then tough cause the truth hurts!
Paso is dead, not sure how many more times people have to say that. I for one really enjoy Santa Maria, it's actually one of the few shows I really look forward to. Great cars and WCK does a great job putting this event on keep up the good work guys. I do agree that the awards should be Saturday night though. Maybe we wern't paying attention but we didn't know when the bands were playing, maybe have the guy on the P.A. shout out a heads up when bands are getting ready to play. Other than that we had a great time and will see you again next year!
I was a first time vendor at SM which meant I didn't get to experience every inch of the show like a civilian but I loved what I did experience. Nice crowd vibe, some amazing cars sitting under trees with windows rolled down, club members happily talking cars, families having fun and lovers in love. The fairgrounds are practically in town so it's an easy commute to the small town "action." I appreciate the low spectator fee and also appreciate the chain link fence. To me it means that everyone there digs cars and the car scene enough to pay to get in. And thank you for not charging the vendors outrageous space fees. From a vendor point of view I'd like to see the show integrated with the vendors a bit more. When I'm vending I miss the cars and music. How about bringing both into the buildings? Not too many cars to create foot traffic problems and not too loud to prevent talking but create a cool place to shop and enjoy the scene like the Suede Palace at GNRS. I feel like I'm selling in a bad mall at half the shows and I wonder if the spectators feel that way too.
Well I'm glad this thread got back on the right track. It started turning into a what I missed about Paso thread. WCK don't get discouraged! I also noticed the same guys bitching about Santa Maria are knocking the upcoming Ink and Iron. I don't get, if you don't like it stay home. But don't make it sound like- " I don't like it. I'm not going and everybody is really going to miss me and my car"
To all of you who miss Paso I can tell you that the people who live there probably do miss their old Paso too. I drove through there a month ago and did not recognize the city center. Brand new ugly multi story construction everywhere. The small town vibe is completely gone and the park will probably not last much longer. Corporate and Municipal greed at its very finest.
OK ...First, A HUGE THANK YOU PENNY for brining the show to SANTA MARIA. This city will work with you better than most cities in CA. WE are NOT "assholes" like the folks in PASO. For the complainers that cry for the old PASO show... STAY HOME.... better yet dont even chime in on this topic anymore. PASO put PENNY through hell...but im sure you dont care about that...being selfish and all. Until you organize an event, you will not understand all of the "red tape" and headaches that comes with it. Why would she even think of going back to hell hole Paso. I would have to agree with the few that mentioned the security aspect of an enclosed show.... wouldnt want some dip shit kid wandering around on his skate board or bike scratching my paint!! Oh and the folks walking their dogs around crapping in the grass and pissing on tires (seen it before). For those that dont know exactly where Santa Maria sits on the map...we are on the CENTRAL COAST OF CALIFORNIA.... C-E-N-T-R-A-L.....Moving the show an hour North or South will not make a damn difference ....people come from ALL OVER to attend this show. You think the group that came from Japan gives a crap??? Quit suggesting to move it an hour closer to "your location" just becaue you can't put an extra $30 in your gas tank. Im going to this show where ever its held. If Penny moves it from here then all I could say is ...."It was fun while we had it" Improvements: 1. FOOD - Im going to side with the complaints..... over priced fair food is not good. 2. Hours of operation for the show should go longer.... 3. Cruise route should be extended which should not be a problem (Im one of the guys that sign off on your Good Neighbor Application for the city!!!!) Lastly.... We appreciate the hard work that goes into this show and ALL of the people that make it happen. To the people that bring their cars and attend the event....THANK YOU TOO...The show will go on as they say and there will ALWAYS be complainers... NO ONE will ever be completely satisfied. PENNY... Keep up the great work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well all i can say is ..STAY IN ARIZONA. No one said this is a "resort town"... If you are looking for a real vacation ...go to Tahiti ... This ghetto will enjoy WEST COAST KUSTOMS while we have it... And as far as your hubcaps go, you should have attended the swapmeet on sunday...im sure they would have sold them back to you!!
x2 <a href=http://www.getsmileyface.com><img src=http://www.getsmileyface.com/sm/happy/1074.gif border=0><br><font face=arial size=1>Smiley Face</font></a><a href=http://www.getsmileyface.com><img src=http://www.getsmileyface.com/sm/happy/1074.gif border=0><br><font face=arial size=1>Smiley Face</font></a><a href=http://www.getsmileyface.com><img src=http://www.getsmileyface.com/sm/happy/1055.gif border=0><br><font face=arial size=1>Smiley Face</font></a>
Posts like this ^^^ are the reason the Taliban hates us the cool thing about the old Paso shows was that people were stoked to come from out of state. (which they still are...for now) The March Meets wouldn't be the same at Pomona http://www.westcoastkustoms.com/hwck.html I don't think Santa Maria is that bad of a town....it's just not the town to replace Paso Robles. It was the size and overall "feel" of Paso that made it a great show. That feeling could be captured in a lot of OTHER small towns (50,000 or less). BUT don't get me wrong....it wouldn't work out in a place like Watts or Delano. It is really like moving the March Meets from Famoso to Pomona. Get it? However it's really cool that Santa Maria had open arms for Penny! It doesn't have to be moved back to Paso! if they wanted it gone then fine. But it would have been nice to find another "sleepy" town to "invade".
This is the problem "sleepy" little towns generally don't want 800 cars rolling into their downtown core for 3 or 4 days. While some retailers may love the extra business this would generate most citizens of a small town do not want the "disruption" that a show like this would bring and I am sure it wouldn't take long before any "new" town raised the same complaints Paso did.
Well said brother.... The small towns are generally mom and pop... meaning exactly what you said....800 cars rolling in will disrupt their small business. If they dont own a motel, bar or restaurant, ...they will go to city council to complain and then...the show is gone!! This is why Paso didnt work... GET THE HINT PEOPLE!!!
You seriously are going to bring the Tailban into this thread.....REALLY DUDE.... The Taliban hate ALL americans for being AMERICAN....not because Westcoast Kustoms move to Santa Maria.... This thread just went South..im out!
The Jalopy Journal
