We’re proud to report and happy to say that apparently it doesn’t matter how the economy is doing or what’s going on around the world, street machine enthusiasts still love their rides. That’s right; enthusiasts around the country still enjoy nothing more than spending a weekend with fellow gearheads (enough to fill a decent-sized city), regardless of gas prices or unemployment rates. But, after all, it is “Back to the ’50s” weekend.

The Minnesota Street Rod Association’s (MSRA) 36th annual “Back to the ’50s” show in St. Paul, MN, once again drew participants and spectators from all over the country to what has become verifiably the largest gathering of pre ’65 street rods, customs, and classics in the U.S. With 11,510 registered street machines in attendance, and over 125,000 car-loving spectators, the event boasts immense proportions and is worth traveling great distances to be a part of.

Hosted at the beautiful Minnesota State Fairgrounds, which is a venue to beat all car show venues, “Back to the ’50s” prides itself not only on its wide variety of street machines, but also on the overall show experience. Besides the droves of impressive cars, the over 350 vendors, more than 300 crafters, and 350-plus swap meet sellers together provide even more to see and do and buy, in between trying hard to see every car at the show.

One of the things we like most about the ’50s is that attendees aren’t vying to win trophies and the spectators aren’t responsible for selecting a “Best of Show” winner. The MSRA doesn’t offer trophies at this event, which means vehicle owners can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show, rather than worry if their car is in a condition suitable to be judged or critiqued. While this keeps many professionally built cars from attending, we’re okay with that.

While everyone comes for the cars, the food keeps them there all day. Participants and spectators alike take frequent breaks from cruising the show to form long lines at the variety of food stands offering Minnesota-bred munchies. It’s about as hard to say no to a bucket of Sweet Martha’s fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, complemented by a tall glass of ice cold milk, of course, as it is to avoid the cheese curds, foot-long corn dogs, and the handful of other foods on a stick. We can promise you’ll never leave “Back to the ’50s” hungry, well, at least not for food, but maybe to start your next project.

We recommend making plans to be in St. Paul, MN, June 18-20, 2010 to experience this exciting automotive event. There’s no doubt we’ll be there, and we’d love to see our fellow NSMC Members in attendance. Until then, check out some of the cars we saw at “Back to the ’50s” 2009.

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