Pete Paulsen’s 33rd Hot Rod Party on Sunday, Oct. 1, will have a touch of American Graffiti.
That’s the George Lucas 1973 classic film featuring an assortment of classic vehicles, cruising to the sounds of Rock & Roll, coupled with an all-star cast.
Included was Cindy Williams, who achieved greater fame starring in the television sitcom classic Laverne & Shirley. She played Laurie Henderson in American Graffiti alongside Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, and Harrison Ford.
Williams told host Paulsen of her plans to attend this year’s Hot Rod Party – she was a special guest several years earlier at the Paulsen Ranch in French Camp – but passed away suddenly on Jan. 25.
“I talked to her two weeks before she died,” Paulsen said on Thursday.
He lost his wife of 53 years, Patricia, in July. The upcoming Hot Rod Party at the Paulsen Ranch, 1504 W. Bowman Rd. is being held in memory of Pat Paulsen and Cindy Williams.
The car show featuring classic cars, food vendors, and special guests including American Graffiti’s Candy Clark – she played Debbie Dunham – legendary car customizer John D’Agostino (owner of Celebrity Kustom), Holly Ansman (Hot Rod Holly), and DJs’ Johnny ‘T’ and Wyatt Bowman
Both will be playing the timeless tunes of Rock & Roll.
Pete Paulsen is looking to bring in more American-made or powered classic car entries to the Hot Rod Party. Cost for early entry is $35 and $45 on the day of the event. Registration is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., with awards being announced at 3 p.m.
The car show will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission is $10, $5 for seniors and military, and free to children age 10 and under.
All proceeds will support Bikes For Kids, a nonprofit that takes those preowned bicycles, in turn, refurbishing and donating the bikes to children throughout the year.
“So far, Bikes For Kids has donated over 600 bicycles to children and local shelters,” said Paulsen, who has a goal of having 300 bikes available for the annual Christmas giveaway scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 8.
For more information, log on to www.petepaulsen.com, e-mail pp@petepaulsen.com, or call 209.983.0271.