Phelan Phamily Phun Days returned to the Tri-Community on October 2nd, attracting many to the annual event that includes a parade, a car show, vendors, and live music.
The day was packed with fun-filled family activities, beginning with a parade that started at 9 am. After the parade, attendees were able to walk onto the downtown area of Phelan Road, where entrees into the Champagne Classic Car Show were parked and waxed for display. The proud owners were often sitting in lawn chairs next to their vehicles.
Susan Truitt attended the event with her husband Charles, and they entered a light blue 1957 Chevy Bel Air into the car show. She says her favorite part of the day was getting to see all the older vehicles because it’s a hobby she and her husband share.
One of the day’s most popular events began at 11:30 am and took place behind the Stater Bros on Brawley Road. This event was the Burn Out. Vehicles lined up at the turnaround at the end of the street to burn out their tires in front of the masses that lined the top of the dirt hill and along the road. For vehicles that maximized the cloud of burnt rubber from their tires, they were rewarded by loud, boisterous cheers of approval from the crowd.
Throughout the day, several competitions were open to the public. They included musical chairs, a burping contest, an animal imitation calling contest, a pizza-eating contest, and a hula hoop contest.
The hula hoop contest attracted ten contestants and started around 12:30 pm. Girls and boys of different ages gathered in front of the T-Mobile stage to compete, and very quickly, that number began to shrink. Suddenly, only two young girls were left in the match, and the duo seemed poised to drag the event out all day. The two faced each other as they worked the hoop with their waists when out of nowhere, one of the hoops dropped to the floor, and a winner was crowned: Emily Miramontes. After the victory, she said her sides hurt from the hoop.
Beside the T-Mobile stage, Emilia Romero sat at one of the tables with her husband Eduardo and their son Eddie in the beer tent. “We’re just having so much fun,” she said with a smile. “It’s Phun Days. It happens every year.” In the past, she’s participated in the event’s parade. But not this year. “It’s great that we are able to get out of the house to see other people, to be able to be part of our town.” On the stage next to the tent, the band Modd Rodds plays music inspired by beach party tunes.
The 2021 Phelan Phamily Phun Days proved to be a fun event for all who attended. PICTURES FOLLOW CAR SHOW WINNNERS
Car show winners are:
Category: Pre 50s Vehicle: 1940 Mercury Convertible Owner: Ralph Lopez Award sponsor: Paizly Vintage & Antiques |
Category: Hot Rod Vehicle: 1934 Ford Model 40 Owner: Bob Gordon Award Sponsor: My Hero Sub & Pub |
Category: Street Rod Vehicle: 1923 Ford T-Bucket Owner: John Walker Award Sponsor: Phelan Pizza Factory |
Category: 1950s Stock Vehicle: 1955 Chevy Belair Owner: Celso Landeros Award sponsor: J. Tidwell and Associates |
Category: 1950s Modified Vehicle: 1957 Ford Thunderbird Owner: Albert Best Award Sponsor: Uppercut Barber Shop |
Category: 1960s Stock Vehicle: 1965 Ford Mustang Owner: Craig Davis Award Sponsor: Phelan Pizza Factory |
Category: 1960s Modified Vehicle: 1965 Ford Ranchero Owner: Chuck McConnell Award sponsor: Veteran’s Armory |
Category: 1970 Stock Vehicle: 1971 Plymoth Duster Owner: Glen Pratt Award Sponsor: Veteran’s Armory |
Category: 1970 Modified Vehicle: 1972 Chevy Corvette Owner: David Oreb Award Sponsor: Veteran’s Armory |
Category: Pre & 1975 Factory Stock Muscle Vehicle: 1969 Chevy Camaro Owner: Ed Henry Award Sponsor: Phelan Towing, Inc. |
Category: 1976 & Newer Factory Stock Muscle Vehicle: 2001 Dodge Viper Owner: Skip Ewing Award Sponsor: JMS Sales, Inc. |
Category: Best of the 1980s, 1990s, or 2000s Vehicle: 1999 Chevy Camaro Owner: Moses Montanez Award Sponsor: Mills Hardware |
Category: Import Stock Vehicle: NA Owner: Award Sponsor: Napa Auto Parts – Phelan |
Category: Import Modified Vehicle: 1974 Datsun 260z Owner: Justin Soliz Award Sponsor: J. Tidwell & Associates |
Category: Beater Vehicle: 1967 Volkswagon Bug Owner: Troy Gregory Award Sponsor: Mobile Service Transmission |
Category: Race Car Vehicle: Custom Owner: Justin Pettit Award Sponsor: My Here Sub & Pub |
Category: Rat Rod Vehicle: 1948 REO Speedwagon Truck Owner: Robert Oneal Award Sponsor: The Medicine Shoppe |
Category: Totally Custom Vehicle: 1955 Chevy Camero Owner: Coleen Reily Award Sponsor: Pinon Hills Market – Chevron |
Category: Best Car Under Construction Vehicle: 1965 Chevy Chevelle Owner: John Walker Award Sponsor: Napa Auto Parts – Phelan |
Category: Youth Special Interest Vehicle: 2014 Dragster Owner: Gavin Rodriguez Award Sponsor: Mills Hardware |
Category: Best Truck Two-Wheel Drive Vehicle: 1959 Chevy Apache Truck Owner: Lacy Matson Award sponsor: Kathy Hoffman, Coldwell Banker |
Category: Best Truck Four-Wheel Drive Vehicle: 1977 Dodge Power Wagon Owner: Garrett Shanks Award Sponsor: Mama Maria Restaurant |
Category: Best Engine Compartment Vehicle: 1962 Chevy Nova Owner: Joel Mckee Award Sponsor: J Tidwell & Associates |
Category: Best Street Bike Vehicle: 2016 Harley Davison Soft Tail Deluxe Owner: Javier Munoz Award Sponsor: Phelan Market, Inc. |
Category: Best UTV Vehicle: NA Owner: Award Sponsor: Premium UTV Rentals, LLC |
Category: Burnout Street Vehicle: 1964 Ford 250 Owner: Robert Turner Award Sponsor: The UPS Store #5113 |
Category: Burnout Race Car Vehicle: 1960 Ford Mustang Owner: DJ Barton Award Sponsor: S&S Electric |
Category: Open Header Street Vehicle: NA Owner: Award Sponsor: Arturo’s Country Kitchen |
Category: Open Header Race Car Vehicle: NA Owner: Award Sponsor: Cal Automotive |
Category: Best Paint Stock Vehicle: 1968 Dodge Superbee Owner: Ronnie Forbes Award Sponsor: J. Tidwell & Associates |
Category: Best Paint Custom Vehicle: 1973 Chevy Pickup Owner: John Walker Award Sponsor: Mills Hardware |
Category: Best Interior Stock Vehicle: 1969 Chevy Camero Owner: Ron Morrison Award Sponsor: S&S Mopar |
Category: Best Interior Custom Vehicle: 1970 Dodge Challenger Owner: Scott Ewing Award Sponsor: Turner Security |
Category: Mayor’s Choice Vehicle: 1962 Electrodyne Mark 2 Owner: James Westendorf Award Sponsor: Anthony Spampinato, 2021 Mayor |
Category: President’s Choice Vehicle: 1963 Studebaker Lark Owner: Marc Rohrich Award Sponsor: Mills Hardware |
Category: Best of Show Vehicle: 1954 Ford F-100 Panel Owner: Larry Colgan Award Sponsor: Phelan Express |
The owners of a 1931 Ford 4 Door Sedan sit next to their vehicle during the Champagne Classic Car Show. This is the 1957 Chevy Bel Air belonging to Charles and Suzanne Truitt. A little girl prepares to scale an inflatable rock climbing wall that was at the kids zone during Phun Days. Emily Miramontes (center) gleams after winning the hula hoop contest. Spectators lined up along Brawley Road for the Burn Out and Open Header competition. Car enthusiasts walk along Phelan Road admiring the classic vehicles. Emilia Romero dances to music from the Modd Rodds. A participant in the burnout vies for praise from the large crowd. The Modd Rodds play on the T-Mobile stage at 2021 Phelan Phamily Phun Days. Emilia Romero, her husband Eduardo, and their son Eddie relax in the beer tent. This wheel that spins kids around was a popular ride in the kids zone.