River City Rodders show draws more than 150 vehicles to downtown Cape

Evoking days before computers and cellphones, when cruising was the way to connect, the 34th annual River Tales Classic Car Show showcased more than 150 vehicles Sunday.

The event was held by the River City Rodders and is held on the second Sunday after Labor Day. It was moved from Capaha Park five years ago to help promote downtown Cape Girardeau and its merchants.

According to Danny Essner, secretary of the Rodders, cars usually come from a 130-mile radius to participate in the event.

"The event is friendly, nostalgic," said Kim Hyde of Valier, Ill., attending for the first time. She especially liked the "Mississippi River Tales" mural. "Turning back time to the way things should be," Hyde said, adding that the cars seemed better displayed in a venue like downtown Cape Girardeau than some other places she has seen. She and Keith Wilson were showing a '38 Chevy Sedan with 35,000 original miles.

Also showing for the first time this year was a '55 Super Shoebox, owned by Steve Hughes and Charlie Phillips of Bell City, Mo. The red SS Chevy has a fiberglass body and 11,000 original miles. It is kept in a climate-controlled garage year-round. This is the only car that was rebuilt and completed on Horsepower TV in 2006, Hughes said. Hughes and Phillips won Boyd's Pick, the most special award to the Rodders, named in memory of founder Boyd Morton. They also won first place in class and best engine.

Wayne Niswonger won the Old Town Cape trophy with his '55 Chevy Sedan.

Show participants were eligible to win several door prizes, including stereo equipment and cash.

"We have $3,500 to $4,000 in door prizes this year," Rodders president Rick Crow said.

"We wanted to help encourage people to come in from farther away," Essner said.

Many local shops and attractions that are normally closed on Sunday opened their doors specifically for the event.

Steve Conley drove his '99 Plymouth Purple Prowler from Tucson, Ariz., to Cape Girardeau to attend an electric car show this week. Once he got here, he learned about the competition and registered. He won the trophy for driving the farthest.

Crow said that after a shower around noon, a few people with convertibles left.

"This is not our first rodeo, we'll ride it out and get 'er done," Crow said, referring to the rain. The turnout of show participants and spectators has been good this year, he said.

"We are grateful to all our sponsors who help to defray costs," Crow said. "Anything left over from the car show goes to charity so we can reinvest in the community."

Pertinent address:

43 S. Main St., Cape Girardeau, MO