A local organization is gearing up to host the 18th annual Rev It Up Hot Rod Street Fest, which will raise funds for a program serving Lawrence youths.
The show is set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 in South Park and along Massachusetts Street in downtown Lawrence.
The event is free to the public, but vehicle registration costs $20, or $35 with a T-shirt. Registration proceeds will cover the cost of the event, and the remaining funds will be donated to Lawrence Leadership Lowrider Bike Club.
Erik Erazo, treasurer of the Diverse Ones Car Club, founded the group, which offers mentorship and team-building opportunities to young people in bike-building workshops.
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The Leadership Lowrider Bike Club now has chapters in other states as well. It started with five kids back in 2017 when Erazo, who lives in Lawrence but works in Olathe Public Schools, said he was trying to do something for one target group.
“I’ve been a custom car guy my whole life, and I rode a custom bicycle when I was in middle school,” he said. “So I was like, ‘I’ll make one and see if the kids like it.’ And I mean, they just took to it, and it’s just been super successful ever since.”
Rev it Up was originally created by Stephen “Slim” Chronister and his wife Michelle Chronister as a fundraiser for the Ballard Center. The Diverse Ones Car Club became involved a few years ago as volunteers at the show, often helping park vehicles, Erazo said. When it came time for Chronister to pass the torch, Erazo’s club stepped up so the event would stay local.
He said they bit off more than they could chew at first, but now they’re getting the hang of it. The Diverse Ones Car Club has also expanded the hot rod show to include lowriders and art cars.
Erazo wants Lawrence to understand its local lowrider culture.
“A lot of the news and movies from way back in the 1980s ‘til recent have portrayed the lowrider scene as being gang-related or negative, and that’s not the case for us,” Erazo said. “We have business owners, executives. I’m a career educator. We’re good people.”
The show has 33 awards, all handmade by the students at the Olathe Advanced Technical Center.
Erazo expects the turnout to be roughly 450 cars, as it was last year. On top of the car show itself, Erazo said there will be music, vendors and food trucks as well as activities for kids at the event. Rev it Up! Radio with Lynnie G, Kaw Tikis, StrawBilly, Big Sandy and the Fly Right Boys are scheduled to provide entertainment.
People can register one or two vehicles online at this link. Drivers should arrive between 8 and 11 a.m. the day of, although good spots are limited and available first-come, first-served. Cars will be parked on Mass Street starting at the old Fuzzy’s Taco Shop location, 1115 Massachusetts St., and on the grass in South Park.
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