Santa Cruz Woodies A Chapter of the National Woodie Club
The 2023 27th Annual Woodies on the Wharf (WOW) in Santa Cruz is now in our rear-view mirrors and what a wonderful weekend it was! We are grateful for all of the support we receive from the City of Santa Cruz – and most especially from the Parks and Recreation Department, and the Wharf Merchants Association. Originally a one-day affair, over the ensuing 27 years WOW has become a four-day celebration of all things Woodie. Thursday began with the traditional stuffing of goody bags where members of Santa Cruz Woodies met to get a first look at all the fun things we hand out when you enter and register your car at the Wharf on Saturday morning. Thursday evening, we gathered at the home of Alan and Jule Hilton for our WOW Welcome party where we enjoyed a delicious Hawaiian BBQ dinner. The Hiltons epitomize the spirit of Aloha by generously hosting our Welcome party every year.
Video provided by Armando Lara
The next morning, we joined Jim and Patti Ferdinand at their home for breakfast and the Memorial Paddle-Out party which they graciously host each year. The weather was mild and the waves minimal as several of our members suited up and paddled out to join hands, throw flowers and offer up a traditional Hawaiian memorial service to honor those of our members who passed away this year. Later everyone enjoyed an incredible home cooked breakfast and some hot beverages.
Friday evening we held the third of our welcome parties around the pool at the Ocean Pacific Lodge (OPL). Hot and cold pupu’s were served along with adult beverages by our volunteer “beeristas”. After a brief introduction and welcome by SCWC President Phil Iatomase, the mic was turned over to Gillian Kleman Parise (SCWC Next Gen) who presided over the “Wacky Tacky T-Shirt, Mumu and Flip Flop” contest. Winners included Arlene and Jennifer Solis, Malibu Bill Sampson, and Josie Feeney.
Saturday morning came early the next day as dawn broke and the raspy sound of flatheads cranking permeated the air in the OPL parking lot. Not to be undone, many of our members arrived at the Wharf entrance when it opened at 5:00 A.M. to get one of the early WOW registration numbers along with a goody bag. The morning was damp and a little chilly but the weather gods smiled on us again as the late morning turned into a beautiful sunny day on the Wharf under almost cloudless skies.
It seems as if people were ready to enjoy the summer sunshine as attendance to the event had increased from last year according to our seat-of-the-pants estimation. SCWC Founders Don Iglesias and Rowland Baker served as docents for tours of the show given to a few local assisted living facilities residents. With portable mics in hand, they led several groups of older folks around the Wharf with stories and anecdotes of the unique history of wooden cars. Later we joked that because all of us are getting older, in a few years we may change the name of “Woodies on the Wharf” to “Walkers on the Wharf”.
The day progressed nicely and by late morning the Kūhai Hālau O Mehanakealohakalaua’eikapoli Pā ‘Ōlapa Kahiko Hula group was on-stage graciously providing some Hawaiian culture and wonderful Hula dances for our event. The performances were beautiful, and everyone loved the cultural addition to WOW.
Bob Pearson, of Pearson Arrow Surfboards, provided a surfboard shaping demonstration throughout the day and his booth included a pictorial history of the development of the sport of surfing in California. As is the case every year, Santa Cruz Woodies Club held an on-wharf raffle to provide funds to worthy local charities.
This year – due to the destruction caused by winter storms – we elected to donate the majority of our raffle proceeds to The Pajaro Relief Fund. This fund is providing support to victims of the flooding in the town of Pajaro which was completely destroyed.
Video provided by Armando Lara
SCWC members Richard and Rita Skillman took time over WOW weekend to celebrate their 62nd wedding anniversary. Richard had decorated his 1947 Mercury Woodie with photos of his and Rita’s wedding day. Many on-lookers stopped by to offer their congratulations for such a memorable milestone.
By late afternoon it was time to announce the winners of the Santa Cruz Woodies Club Annual Surfboard raffles and the Club’s WOW awards. The public raffle for the first of two beautiful Bob Pearson-shaped longboards was won by Karen Kembley, and the second (Woodie Owners) longboard was won by Curtis Parisi.
Rick Mack won the Long-Distance Award driving his modified 1950 Ford Shoebox Woodie over 800 miles from his home in Washington State. The fan favorite People’s Choice Award was given to SCWC founding members Howie and Patsy Benfield for their original 1940 Ford Woodie which they have owned for over 50 years. The Woodie Owners Award was given to Geri Siragusa for her beautiful green 1949 Ford Shoebox Woodie.
After all the awards and raffle prizes were presented, it was time for the Parade off the Wharf. Our partners at the Santa Cruz Police Department provided a motorcycle escort to the delight and amazement of the assembled crowds who cheered, clapped and gave their Hang Loose hand sign (shaka) as we exited the wharf.
Video provided by Armando Lara
Back at the OPL we set up our tables and chairs in the parking lot for Saturday’s Mexican themed tailgate dinner provided by Leslie’s Catering which included some really large churros for dessert. Afterward we held our Woodie Owners raffle and Oral Auction where we auctioned off a handful of great items including a hand-turned Pete Passoff wooden vase, two custom-made SCWC 30th Anniversary wooden fuel pump wine carriers built by Jason Kort, a sculptured wooden art piece by Ron Heiden, a member-signed SCWC banner, and a specially decorated surfboard by Arlene and Joe Solis. We ended the night with music by Bob Lopez and special guest Josie Feeney who performed a litany of hits.
Sunday morning 46 cars joined us for Sophia’s Cruise up West Cliff Drive. Due to the damaging winter storms a large portion of the roadway had disappeared into the Pacific Ocean but we were able to mostly keep to the usual route with a few well-placed detours.
We arrived at our favorite coffee shop, Java Junction, where we enjoyed hot coffee and delicious pastries – and reminisced about another fun and successful WOW weekend.
We said our Alohas and are looking forward to next year’s event.
Mark your calendars for when we’ll do it all over again at the 28th annual Woodies on the Wharf, Saturday June 22, 2024.
