We were happy to pack up our gear and head to the 16th Annual River Ranch Rod Run on January 29th. This event is hosted by Rich and Linda Martin of the Sunshine State Rodding News, and held at the Westgate Resorts River Ranch, which is a dude ranch located seemingly in the middle of nowhere on Highway 60 between Yeehaw Junction and Lake Wales, Florida. However, like we’ve said before, if you consider that practically nobody is a local, and everyone has a fair distance to drive to get there, it shows just how much of a reputation for fun this show has to draw the numbers it does. It is a nice laid-back location, and for the Rod Run it becomes a kind of commune for car nuts. We believe the car count this year was a bit over 300, plus there were some vendors offering up neat hot rod related items.

The event officially gets underway on Friday at 3:00pm with the opening of registration, but this year that happened to be on a very rain soaked day. Typically there is a Friday afternoon hayride at 4:00pm, but that got canceled due to the liquid sunshine. However, it cleared up in the evening, and participants did get to hang out in the saloon on Friday night, where there was free popcorn and soda.

As luck would have it, on Saturday everyone got pretty lucky with the weather, all things considered. Last year there were weather issues, so it was good to see that this year we all dodged a bullet. The sun came out for most of the day, and it was already business as usual when we arrived...with the show field filled with a wide variety of great vehicles. We had the pleasure of making our way through all the great cars and trucks, collecting plenty of photos along the way, and talking to lots of friends. DJs Butch and Jennifer Johnston of WJBJ Cruisin’ With The Classics were on hand playing the cool tunes from their nice mobile DJ trailer, and did a good job as always in setting the mood for an enjoyable day.

Dash plaques were given to all participants, plus small flashlights for their cars. There is no judging and no trophies at the River Ranch Rod Run, but awards did go out for Long Distance, Hard Luck and Club Participation. At around 3:00pm Rich and Linda held the pre-registration drawing for cash, announced the game winners, and drew numbers for the raffle items. The tickets were $2 each or 3 for $5, and this year the raffle included a Craftsman three drawer tool chest, stainless steel barbecue grill, leather recliner, a pedal car, and a rod run quilt. All nice items that anyone would enjoy.

Everyone was invited to partake in all that River Ranch has to offer, which includes horseback riding, pony rides, golf, boat rentals, fishing, tennis, swimming and bike rentals. Food concessions were set up right on the show field, with various sandwiches, chips, drinks, baked goods and the like. The giant turkey leg I had sure hit the spot! And if you wanted to tickle your sweet tooth there were also Girl Scouts set up selling their wide array of cookies. With better weather than the previous evening the Saturday hayride did take place, and a pair of wagons hauled around about 70 people for a leisurely good time. Those staying the night at River Ranch also watched the rodeo on Saturday evening, then hung out in the saloon and listened to the live band....completing the whole western experience that River Ranch caters to.

Thanks again have to go out to Rich and Linda Martin for putting on another fun River Ranch Rod Run. There were some problems a few years back with the River Ranch ownership and management that were out of Rich and Linda’s hands that kept the Rod Run from happening, but it looks like it is certainly on track to be a great event every year again. We’re planning to be back for 2006, and hope to see you there! If you need more info on the River Ranch Rod Run call Rich and Linda Martin at 954-587-5485. CN