Santa Cruz Woodies A Chapter of the National Woodie Club
After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the City of Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Woodies Club welcomed woodie owners and attendees to the 26th Annual Woodies on the Wharf. This year, held in conjunction with the 5th Annual National Woodie Meet, saw attendance rise as wooden car owners and guests from all over the country descended upon Santa Cruz for our 4-day celebration of all things woodie. Thanks to the officers and directors of the National Woodie Club and the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department who heavily advertised WOW 26, we had attendees travel from as far away as the United Kingdom.
It was with two plus years of trepidation that we began the planning for WOW 26. Making this event even more of a challenge was the fact that we were also honored by being the host venue for the National Woodie Club’s 5th Annual Meet. Would it come to pass? It most certainly did! Not to boast; but, WOW was an event for the record books.
For those who are unfamiliar with WOW, we like to kick off things early. This year with the National Meet as an added attraction, we turned a one day show into a four-day-long celebration of our “Woodies” and our “Woodie O’hana”. Kicking the festivities off on Thursday, club members and woodie owners were welcomed to an Open House at the home of Alan & Jule Hilton overlooking the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Pacific Ocean. Thanks go out to the almost 200 folks who came to enjoy the view and partake in some really excellent Hawaiian dishes prepared by Jule & Alan. The fact that people came early and stayed late spoke to how excited we all were to celebrate the chance to once again gather together.
Even after a late night at the Hilton’s, we were up early on Friday to make it to the home of Jim & Patty Ferdinand for the traditional breakfast and memorial paddle-out, honoring the memory of those of our O’hana whom we have lost over the past year.
Since the waves and swells weren’t cooperating, it was decided not to risk the limbs of those with the will to go into the water. We instead gathered on the cliffs of Pleasure Point to toss leis into the surf in memory of those who, while forever in our hearts, are now joining us from Heaven.
Later that afternoon we gathered at the Ocean Pacific Lodge for refreshments and pupu’s along with our pool side “Next Gen” activities, which included a rubber band powered boat race for the young-at-heart. The highlight of the evening was the Will O’Neil Award which was bestowed upon NWC Past President “Malibu” Bill Sampson for his meritorious service to the National Woodie Club.
Saturday saw 180 woodies gathered on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf where a very special Mayor’s Proclamation was issued to the Santa Cruz Woodies Club.
This year Santa Cruz Woodies and the National Woodie Club handed out seven show awards.
- The NWC bestowed the President’s award to John and Lucky Hemphill of Studio City, CA for their 1946 Ford.
- The Western Directors award went to Tom and Linda Nored of Springfield OR for their 1954 Mercury Monterey.
- The Central Directors Award to Bryan McDowell of Herald, CA for his 1938 Ford.
- The Eastern Directors Award went to Pat Phinny of Carmel Valley, CA for his incredible 1940 Packard 110. Pat’s car also won the SCWC People’s Choice Award.
- The SCWC award winners included John McBride for the Owners Choice Award and the Long-Distance Award was given to Rick Mack who drove his 1950 Ford Woodie 828 miles from his home in Lakewood, WA.
A couple of adventurous NWC members from the East Coast had attempted the drive out to Santa Cruz but unfortunately broke down along the way and were unable to finish their bucket list drive.
Throughout the day we conducted our extensive on the wharf public raffle which generates monies for local charities. Items included an electric e-bike and a beautiful Pearson Arrow Longboard. We ended the 26th WOW with our traditional “Parade off the Wharf” which attracted several thousand spectators.
Later in the evening we had a wonderful Mexican themed dinner and tailgate party along with a small raffle and live auction which raised money for both the National Club and Santa Cruz Woodies.
Some of the items included an always special Cheryl Luchsinger Quilt, an Ed Bowman and Floyd Smith designed custom made wooden Cornhole Game, a complete set of all 26 WOW posters and related memorabilia donated by Dave and Andi Welles, Joe Silva’s Neon Pacifico-Woodie Sign, Howie and Patsy Benfield’s Jack O’Neil Vintage Letterman’s Jacket, NWC Wall Decor and Banners, the Solis’s Rainbow Fin with stand and the WOW Poster image on a bedspread and pillow case along with many more very cool items.
Also included in the nights activities was the awarding of the SCWC Rich Smart Spirit of Aloha awards. The 2022 recipients were Jim and Malinda Alves, Dorma Baker, and Pete and Flo Passof. These awards were all well-deserved and long overdue. As Saturday evening came to a close, we welcomed our very own SCWC troubadour Bob Lopez to the stage, providing some very special live entertainment.
We kicked off Sunday morning with Sophia’s cruise that saw 60 Woodies traveling out Westcliff Drive past the Lighthouse, back to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and ending up at Java Junction, where we enjoyed piping hot coffee and a variety of fresh pastries.
We ended the weekend with an introduction of new NWC President Jack Boyle and a short speech by current SCWC President Joe Solis and then we said our goodbyes and “Aloha oe A hui kakou” (Farewell to you, until we meet again).
Mark your calendars for next years 27th Annual Woodies on the Wharf to be held on Saturday June 24, 2023. For more information visit www.santacruzwoodies.com.