Today will mark the start of the Rod Run with pre-registrations for Saturday night cruising and Sunday’s Show ‘n Shine events taking place at Narrandera Golf Club.
Vehicles will assemble at the golf club on Friday April 15 at 11am for a 40-kilometre “river cruise”.
An observation run will start from the golf club on Easter Saturday at 11am and vehicles will cruise along the main street between 5pm and 9pm.
Narrandera Sportsground will host a huge day of events when gates open at 11am on Easter Sunday with the Show N Shine event one of the main features, along with live bands and a swap meet.
The whole family will be catered for with market and food stalls and trade stands set in a festival atmosphere. A trophy presentation for the winning vehicles will take place at 2.30pm.
Mayoral welcome
I am thrilled to welcome everyone to the Narrandera Rod Run Weekend, a premier event of the Shire for an impressive 38 years.
Each year over the Easter weekend, residents, visitors and motor enthusiasts alike, have the opportunity to celebrate and immerse themselves in early model autos and custom built hot rods.
The Earlies Rod and Custom Club descend on our town, sharing the spectacle that is the Hot Rodders and creating an exciting atmosphere.
My thanks and congratulations go out to Steven and Kathleen Alldrick and the team for staying positive over the last couple of challenging years, working with Council to ensure the family friendly weekend continues to grows in its success.
The Show ‘N’ Shine public event held on Easter Sunday 17 April at Narrandera Sportsground, is expected to be bigger and better than ever. With no attendance limitations and no tickets required, everyone is welcome to simply turn up on the day any time between 11am and 4pm.
The sportsground will host over 350 registered Hot Rod entrants, accompanied by live music, food and shopping stalls, plus fun activities for the kids.
Cr Neville Kschenka, Narrandera Mayor.
Auto Club gear up for roar of engines
Narrandera Auto Club is looking forward to celebrating its ninth year of catering for people of all ages with a passion for cars, bikes and anything with wheels.
The club, which has about 50 members, is inviting people to become new members of the club.
Many of the club members will be eagerly awaiting the start of this year’s Narrandera Rod Run over the Easter weekend.
One of the event’s highlights is the Saturday night cruise along the main street which usually draws a large crowd.
An expected turnout of about 250 vehicles will be part of the event which features an array of beautifully restored vintage cars at the Show N Shine on Easter Sunday.
Offering a calendar of events members can participate in, Narrandera Auto Club members enjoy attending various car and bike shows and a monthly coffee cruise.
Club meetings are conducted at Narrandera Golf Club and are accessible to all community members who would like to discover more about the club and what it offers.
The Narrandera Auto Club is proud of its association with the Earlies Rod and Custom Run which is by far one of the biggest events of the year.
Anyone wishing to become a member or learn more about the club can follow them on Facebook or email narranderaautoclub@hotmail for more details.
One motor vehicle enthusiast who is eagerly anticipating the smell of fuel and the roar of the engines in the Narrandera Rod Run is Narrandera man Gary Powell.
There is no doubt on which side of the Ford versus Holden fence Mr Powell’s allegiances lie.
He owns an impressive batch of iconic Ford vehicles, including a two-door XP Falcon 1965; XT 1968 Falcon Ute automatic; XR Falcon 1966 four-door sedan automatic – all with 289 cubic inch motors; 1966 Mustang Coupe manual, 347 cubic inch motor; 1969 XW Falcon, four-door sedan, four speed manual with a 434 cubic inch motor; 1997 EL Falcon XR8 sedan; 2003 BA Falcon XR8 sedan and his most recent acquisition, a 2016 Ford Mustang.
One of Narrandera Auto Club’s foundation members, Mr Powell said his love of Fords had been instilled in him at an early age.
“It most probably stems back to my father Lloyd who was a real Ford man,” Mr Powell said.
“The only spanner in the works is that my partner Cathy has a Chevrolet Camaro – it’s not allowed in the Ford garage.
“I wouldn’t contemplate getting a Holden.”
Mr Powell is considering entering two of his vehicles in this year’s Show N Shine event.
“I’ll probably enter my XP two-door and maybe the XW,” he said.
“Being born and bred in Narrandera I’ve most probably been to most of the Rod Runs.
“It’s a great event and it’s great value.
“Narrandera really appreciates having all the cars here at Easter, it creates a lot of interest.
“The cars are spectacular.”
Mr Powell us not a believer of just letting his cars sit in the garage in gleaming condition.
“All my cars are registered and I drive all of them and I take them out as often as I can,” he said.
Mr Powell said previous events have attracted as many as 350 vehicles and he is expecting at least more than 200 vehicles to be on display this year.
Program
All pre 75 chrome bumper custom cars welcome
Thursday, April 14
Venue: Narrandera Golf Club
4pm- 5.30pm: Pre-registration for Saturday night cruising and Sunday Show n Shine, Merchandise Sales
Friday April 15
Venue: Narrandera Golf Club
8.30am -11am: Pre-registration for Saturday night cruising & Sunday Show n Shine, Merchandise Sales
4pm-5.30pm: Pre-registration for Saturday night cruising and Sunday Show n Shine, Merchandise Sales
11am: Assemble at Golf Club for 40km “River Drive” returning to cruise Lake Talbot Caravan Park.
Explore the town and support the event’s wonderful sponsors (event poster in windows)
Saturday, April 16
Venue: Narrandera Golf Club
8am-10am: Pre-registration for Saturday night cruising & Sunday Show n Shine, Merchandise Sales
11am: Assemble at Golf Club for Observation Run.
Food available to purchase
5pm-9.00pm: Un-Offical Cruising No Boozin.
Entrants Only Pre ‘75 custom chrome bumper cars
No Sticker No Cruise
Sunday April 17
Venue: Narrandera Sports Ground
– Enter Via Elizabeth St, opposite the show grounds
11am-3pm Narrandera Swap Meet
11am: Gates Open for Show n Shine entrants.
Live Band, Merchandise Sales, Market & Food Stalls,Trade Stands, Can-Assist Top Ride Trophy voted by the public.
1.30pm: Voting closes for Top Ride, Top Rod and Top Custom.
Entrants asked to return their voting slips to the Earlies merchandise stand by 1.30pm
2.30pm: Trophy Presentations on main stage
This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 14 April 2022.
