The Roseburg Graffiti Night Cruise on Saturday is one of the highlights of Graffiti Weekend.
Class cars cruise on Northwest attraction
From the sleek sports car to the classic roadster, hundreds of vehicles will weave through the streets of Douglas County for Graffiti Weekend this July.
The event began in 1981 and has since become a local tradition. This year's festivities will take place from July 7 to 11 and promise activities both the young and old can enjoy.
"They can expect to be entertained," said Brian Horton, a member of the Graffiti Weekend board. "These events draw people and cars from all around the Western United States."
Horton is an avid car enthusiast himself. Through Graffiti Weekend, he said, more than 20,000 people visit the Roseburg area, which helps generate millions of dollars for the city. The event also gives people ample opportunities to meet and chat about what they drive.
"There's the sporting side to it that I've always enjoyed, the drag racing. There's the artistic side, the restoration and making things look good. And there's the competitive side, where you try to make it go faster," Horton said about what sparked his interest in automobiles. "It appeals to more than just one part of you."
Mark Osborne, who also serves on the board, agrees. His fascination with cars began at the age of 6 and has not diminished since then. What makes Graffiti Weekend unique, he said, is the tremendous amount of support local volunteers donate to make it happen.
"I don't think a lot of people realize that this event is put on by a whole bunch of small groups," he said. "Every year the event gets bigger and bigger. The cooperation between the small groups is phenomenal."
<i>* You can reach reporter Erin Snelgrove at 957-4208 or by e-mail at esnelgrove@newsreview.info.</i>
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The event began in 1981 and has since become a local tradition. This year's festivities will take place from July 7 to 11 and promise activities both the young and old can enjoy.
"They can expect to be entertained," said Brian Horton, a member of the Graffiti Weekend board. "These events draw people and cars from all around the Western United States."
Horton is an avid car enthusiast himself. Through Graffiti Weekend, he said, more than 20,000 people visit the Roseburg area, which helps generate millions of dollars for the city. The event also gives people ample opportunities to meet and chat about what they drive.
"There's the sporting side to it that I've always enjoyed, the drag racing. There's the artistic side, the restoration and making things look good. And there's the competitive side, where you try to make it go faster," Horton said about what sparked his interest in automobiles. "It appeals to more than just one part of you."
Mark Osborne, who also serves on the board, agrees. His fascination with cars began at the age of 6 and has not diminished since then. What makes Graffiti Weekend unique, he said, is the tremendous amount of support local volunteers donate to make it happen.
"I don't think a lot of people realize that this event is put on by a whole bunch of small groups," he said. "Every year the event gets bigger and bigger. The cooperation between the small groups is phenomenal."
<i>* You can reach reporter Erin Snelgrove at 957-4208 or by e-mail at esnelgrove@newsreview.info.</i>
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<b>GRAFFITI WEEKEND SCHEDULE</b>
<b>On the web:</b> www.graffitiweekend.com
<b>Wednesday, July 7</b>
Car Show & Barbecue — 5 to 8 p.m., Sherm’s Thunderbird Market, Roseburg. 673-4579, 679-0533.
<b>Thursday, July 8</b>
Bad Rods, Hot Rod Barbecue and Get-Together — 5 to 9 p.m., 1313 Duke Road, Sutherlin. 459-4726.
Retirement & Rest Home Exhibits — People are to meet at 12:30 p.m. by the Subway shop on Stephens Street in Roseburg. The tour will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at area senior centers. 673-8543, 672-2359.
Surprise Cruise — 8 to 10 p.m. The cruise will go along Diamond Lake Boulevard in the Roseburg and Green areas. 672-2359, 677-9863.
<b>Friday, July 9</b>
Roseburg Town Center Friday Fun Day — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Roseburg Town Center. Car displays and sidewalk sales. 673-3352.
Purple Foot Gang Poker Run and Show — 10 a.m. to dusk, Pedotti’s Italian Restaurant, 1332 W. Central Ave., Sutherlin. This event will include a two-hour drive, an awards presentation and a car show. 459-2189.
Show-n-Shine at the Races — Gates open at 4 p.m. and races begin at 6 p.m. at the Douglas County Fairgrounds & Speedway. 957-7010.
<b>Saturday, July 10</b>
River Forks Show-n-Shine — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., River Forks Park, Roseburg. Besides the show, the event will feature trophies, raffles, food booths and Elvis impersonators. A free shuttle bus service will be provided to visitors. No admission, but donations will be accepted. 677-9863, 440-8455.
Collector Car Auction — 8 a.m. to early afternoon, Douglas County Fairgrounds Complex. After the viewing at 8 a.m., a toys and memorabilia auction will begin at 9:30 a.m. The car auction will start at 10 a.m., which will showcase 75 hot rods, antiques, collectible cars and trucks. Shuttle buses will run to the event. www.petersencollectorcars.com; 915-9133, 689-6824.
Umpqua Flatheads Roseburg Graffiti Night Cruise — 6 to 10 p.m., Roseburg Town Center. Admission is $5. Two live bands will perform. 679-8214.
Winston Summer Nite Cruise — Registration will begin at 3 p.m. at the Civic Wayside Park, next the Grandway Shopping Center. The cruise will run from 6 to 11 p.m. Admission is $3, and the event is open to all special-interest vehicles. A live band will perform from 8 to 11 p.m., and food will be provided. 679-7306.
<b>Sunday, July 11</b>
Graffiti Weeks-End Fun Run — Registration will take place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at 2475 Stewart Parkway. The entry fee is $2. The drive will start in Roseburg and end in Canyonville. 673-1520.
Seven Feathers Outdoor Event — A barbecue and entertainment will be provided from 1 to 4 p.m., and a graffiti car giveaway will take place at 6 p.m. at Seven Feathers Hotel & Casino Resort in Canyonville. (800) 548-8461.
* The events are subject to change.
<b>Wednesday, July 7</b>
Car Show & Barbecue — 5 to 8 p.m., Sherm’s Thunderbird Market, Roseburg. 673-4579, 679-0533.
<b>Thursday, July 8</b>
Bad Rods, Hot Rod Barbecue and Get-Together — 5 to 9 p.m., 1313 Duke Road, Sutherlin. 459-4726.
Retirement & Rest Home Exhibits — People are to meet at 12:30 p.m. by the Subway shop on Stephens Street in Roseburg. The tour will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at area senior centers. 673-8543, 672-2359.
Surprise Cruise — 8 to 10 p.m. The cruise will go along Diamond Lake Boulevard in the Roseburg and Green areas. 672-2359, 677-9863.
<b>Friday, July 9</b>
Roseburg Town Center Friday Fun Day — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Roseburg Town Center. Car displays and sidewalk sales. 673-3352.
Purple Foot Gang Poker Run and Show — 10 a.m. to dusk, Pedotti’s Italian Restaurant, 1332 W. Central Ave., Sutherlin. This event will include a two-hour drive, an awards presentation and a car show. 459-2189.
Show-n-Shine at the Races — Gates open at 4 p.m. and races begin at 6 p.m. at the Douglas County Fairgrounds & Speedway. 957-7010.
<b>Saturday, July 10</b>
River Forks Show-n-Shine — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., River Forks Park, Roseburg. Besides the show, the event will feature trophies, raffles, food booths and Elvis impersonators. A free shuttle bus service will be provided to visitors. No admission, but donations will be accepted. 677-9863, 440-8455.
Collector Car Auction — 8 a.m. to early afternoon, Douglas County Fairgrounds Complex. After the viewing at 8 a.m., a toys and memorabilia auction will begin at 9:30 a.m. The car auction will start at 10 a.m., which will showcase 75 hot rods, antiques, collectible cars and trucks. Shuttle buses will run to the event. www.petersencollectorcars.com; 915-9133, 689-6824.
Umpqua Flatheads Roseburg Graffiti Night Cruise — 6 to 10 p.m., Roseburg Town Center. Admission is $5. Two live bands will perform. 679-8214.
Winston Summer Nite Cruise — Registration will begin at 3 p.m. at the Civic Wayside Park, next the Grandway Shopping Center. The cruise will run from 6 to 11 p.m. Admission is $3, and the event is open to all special-interest vehicles. A live band will perform from 8 to 11 p.m., and food will be provided. 679-7306.
<b>Sunday, July 11</b>
Graffiti Weeks-End Fun Run — Registration will take place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at 2475 Stewart Parkway. The entry fee is $2. The drive will start in Roseburg and end in Canyonville. 673-1520.
Seven Feathers Outdoor Event — A barbecue and entertainment will be provided from 1 to 4 p.m., and a graffiti car giveaway will take place at 6 p.m. at Seven Feathers Hotel & Casino Resort in Canyonville. (800) 548-8461.
* The events are subject to change.
