A 1958 Chevrolet Delray owned by Larry Platek glistens in the sun on July 10, 2021, during the Cool Rides Car Show. Th 2022 event is July 8-9 at Hermiston’s McKenzie Park.

HERMISTON — The Hermiston Classics Car Club is gearing up for two days of fun during the Cool Rides Car Show.

In its 26th year, the event revs up Friday, July 8, 6 p.m. at McKenzie Park, 320 S. First St. The evening gathering features a poker run, dinner and conversations with other car enthusiasts. People don’t have to be club members or enter a vehicle in the show to join the fun.

The poker run costs $5 per hand with the winner pocketing half the entry fees. Juan Lopez, club president, said the meal — pulled pork/chicken, fresh fruit, macaroni salad and cookies — is provided at no charge to poker run participants.

“We like to give back to the community,” he said.

The car show shifts into gear Saturday, July 9. Lopez said entries start rolling in around 6:30 a.m., with registration ($25) beginning at 7:30 a.m. People are encouraged to register online in advance — the first 100 participants receive a free event T-shirt.

At 8:30 a.m., Jim Morris of Umatilla will cruise into the park in his Willys Jeep adorned with American flags. Lopez described it as a “pretty cool” way to present the colors. Samantha Steffey, a 2022 Hermiston High School graduate, will sing the national anthem.

Vendor booths will offer a variety of items, including car-related goods. Lopez said rather than having food vendors, the club opted to drive business to the Hermiston Food Pod. Located across the street from the park, at least a handful will open early to offer breakfast fare.

Brass Fire Band will crank out tunes throughout the day. A regional horn band, the group plays jazz, funk, blues, rock and swing. Also, members of the group share the mic for vocal renderings.

A sizzling raffle features a Traeger Tailgater grill. Tickets are $5 each. A separate raffle drawing will provide several lucky winners a chance to take home some cool items, including a two-person porch swing, flat-screen TV, 36-inch flat top griddle and a sound bar. Those tickets are $1 each, $5/eight, $10/20 or $20/wingspan.

Money raised during the event not only supports the car show but provides an opportunity for the club to give back to the community. They have helped numerous nonprofit organizations as well as people in need.

“The club has done that since its inception,” Lopez said. “If we have money in the bank, we give it away.”

While checking out all the shiny entries, be sure to cast a vote for the people’s choice award. The awards presentation, which includes nearly two dozen categories and four special awards, begins at 2:30 p.m.

For more information, including a registration form, visit www.hermistonclassicscarclub.com. For questions, call Lopez at 541-571-0141 or email hermistonclassicscarclub@gmail.com.