Every bright colour will be seen this weekend in Yarrawonga Mulwala when at least 500 hot rods throughout Australia arrive in town.
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It’s all part of the eight annual Lake Mulwala Rod Run which has become a much-loved fixture on the local calendar and 2019 is set to deliver another outstanding event.
“We currently have 440 pre entries and an enormous amount of enquiries concerning late entries,” Northern Suburbs Street Rods (NSSR) President Michael Gruch told the Yarrawonga Chronicle last week.
“We’ll have the other side of 500. Hot rod owners will come from all states of Australia. Last year we had a lot Tasmania and some from WA.
“This is our 29th year, with the first 22 at Bright and the last seven at Yarrawonga.”
Mr Gruch is in his second year as president of the Thomastown, Melbourne located NSSR Club which has 25 members.
The event is specifically for 1975 and earlier rodded, modified and classic vehicles. “The earliest year vehicle looks like being 1923,” the second-year president, whose yellow-coloured 1929 Ford Roadster will be particularly conspicuous containing big 29 figures, said.
“We have a core group of around 400 members who come every year to the rod run. That includes members from right across Australia.”
Hot rod owners love to drive their golden oldies to get to their venue and will drive an extra 101kms in an Observation Run next Saturday to towns Cobram, Koonoomoo and Tocumwal before heading back to Mulwala.
Registration will take place at the J C Lowe Oval Friday evening and Saturday morning.
The event embraces the local community with hot rod owners keen to share their love of fine motor vehicles.
Saturday Drag races
There will be plenty of fun with the Nostalgia Drag Meet at Wilby Park on Saturday, 11am to 3pm at Wilby Park, Cemetery Road, Wilby.
“The drag races are a lot of fun and everyone seems to enjoy it,” Mr Gruch said.
“It’s a great way to spend the afternoon and has become pretty popular both with the club members and the public.”
Saturday street cruise and big dance
Arguably the most popular of the Lake Mulwala Rod Run events is the Belmore Street Cruise late Saturday afternoon and night.
Belmore Street is closed to all vehicles except official rod run entrants who cruise up and down the shopping strip showing off their beautiful vehicles for all to enjoy.
A dancefloor will be put outside the town hall for the rock and roll dancers which will add even more to the festival-type atmosphere.
The Belmore Street Cruise will be in action from 5pm to 10pm and the Rock & Roll Dance will provide entertainment from 8pm until midnight.
All the sparkle and shine
JC Lowe Oval will host the Super Sunday Show & Shine. The football ground becomes a sea of beautiful duco in all colours of the rainbow and provides a great opportunity to wander around and enjoy the beautiful spectacular of the hot rods.
There will also be a variety of trade stalls selling their wares, activities and entertainment for the whole family.
“JC Lowe Oval is the perfect location. There’s plenty of shade, it’s central to town which our members enjoy and being within the caravan park means a lot of our members stay there also which is very convenient,” Mr Gruch said.
“We will have a variety of trade stalls, probably a few different ones from last year and we are also having the SES and the CFA involved this year which should be great for the kids.”
Of Yarrawonga Mulwala, the hot rod president said hot rod owners and their families “absolutely love the place”.
“The assistance from the local community is second to none. The assistance from Noel and Helen at the tourism centre is fantastic. Without the tourism team, nothing could happen.
“We are a non-for-profit organisation and a local charity and any money we have over from this event will be donated to a local charity.
“Between Bright and Yarrawonga over the 28 years to date, we have donated about $250,000 to charities.”
2019 Lake Mulwala Rod Run events
Friday, November 8
Entrants in the 2019 Lake Mulwala Rod Run arrive and register at JC Lowe Oval. The event is specifically for vehicles dated 1965 and earlier with rodded, modified and classic vehicles eligible.
All rod run participants must be registered.
Saturday, November 9
10.30am – Triple M Observations Cruise.
10.30am - Vintage Speedboat display, Yarrawonga foreshore.
11am – 3pm Nostalgia Drag Meet, Wilby Park, Cemetery Road, Wilby.
1pm – Ladies High Tea at Yarrawonga Town Hall.
5pm – 10pm – Belmore Street Cruise (between McNally and Witt Street roundabouts).
6pm – 10pm – Rock & Roll Dance outside the Yarrawonga Town Hall in Belmore Street. Music by DJ Antony and Moonlighters.
Sunday, November 10
9am – Super Sunday Show and Shine, JC Lowe Oval, Yarrawonga.
Vehicles on display, market stalls, entertainment, kids entertainment, Rock n Roll Fashion Parade, raffles and giveaways.
1.30pm - Top 10 Presentations.
Mouth-watering Mexican cuisine
El Toro Grill is the new enticing bistro to hit Yarrawonga Mulwala with Noel, Mel and Mia Connell providing delicious Mexican cuisine from the Terminus Hotel.
Open from 10am everyday over the rod run until late, fun food including slow cooked smoked meats, burgers, ribs, pulled pork, nachos, burritos, quesadillas and tacos will be available.
The primary cuisine will be mouth-watering Mexican street food, from corn on the cob to churros and everything in between with all cuisine smoked in house.
The usual pub classics will also be available with the biggest parmi in town on the menu.
The Connell family have lived in town for a year and a half and have owned a number of restaurants so they are well versed to serve you cold drinks and delicious hot meals.
Fun delicious food is the aim so make sure to come and try El Toro at the Terminus Hotel to satisfy your tastebuds.