Gentlemen, Start Your Engines. Or Don't and Just Lean Against the Hood Looking Cool.
If you live near downtown, you may have heard the low grumbling that permeated the air late last night. No, it was not a super-isolated thunder storm. The sound you heard was that of the hundreds of Hot Rods and Kustoms (that's pre-1963, thank you) that are descending on the capital for the Lone Star Rod & Kustom Round-Up.
Festival organizers hit their limit of 500 cars, so Festival Beach is guaranteed to be packed with a slew of badass paint jobs, gear heads and some hot mammas. And while the weekend may be mostly about the cars (and people watching), it's also about music...and art. With Jo's Coffee, Trophy's and the Continental Club all hosting music Friday and Saturday, there should be something for everyone's taste. There will be a registration happy hour from 3pm-7pm at the Continental Club (de facto headquarters for the event), with music by the Austin Blues Specialists. And if you would rather stay down at Festival Beach to get your music fix, and keep an eye on your favorite hot rod, there is also an outdoor stage with free music, featuring such acts as Doyle Bramhall Sr. and Barfield. And when your ears get a little sore from the sounds of music and mufflers, head upstairs from the Continental to view some hot rod-inspired art at the Kustom Art Show.
So motor down to Festival Beach (just east of I-35 on the shores of Town Lake) this weekend and hang with your friends and family, or go alone and make new friends as you admire the big bad engines and wicked paint jobs on some American classics. Admission to Festival Beach on Saturday is $10, with kids under 12 getting in free.
Check out their site for maps of festival activities along with daily schedules and FAQs.
Lone Star Rod & Kustom Round Up
All weekend at various locations around town
*Image (c) Giblet on Flickr*
