Rod Run renewal a rousing success

Rod Run renewal a rousing success

BY JEFF B. FLINN Managing Editor

Joe Ruiz stood proudly beside the brilliant-blue 1923 Model T Roadster he began building when he was just 14 years old.

“This is the third go-round,” said Ruiz, a Hondo resident whose vehicle was among the more than 250 vehicles entered in the Oct. 14 Hill Country Mile Rod Run.

“I’ve had it for 50 years. In my senior year, 1976, that’s when I drove it,” he said. “And it’s been awesome to drive all these years.” Ruiz estimates he’s sunk about $25,000 in parts, alone, into it.

“I try to go to as many car shows and parades as I can,” he said, admitting he’s done with the updates and refurbishing, “but I have another project on the way.” Vehicles of comparative attractiveness -- and investment -- lined Main Street and Main Plaza as the renewed Hill Country Mile Rod Run combined with the day’s annular eclipse to draw thousands to town.

Josh Mazour, owner of the Cibolo Creek Brewing Company, was pleased with the turnout and feedback from his first venture into organizing a car show.

“ It’s gone perfectly smoothly,” Mazour said of the 36th annual HCM Rod Run, expanded this year to allow pre-1975 entries, where prior years were just pre-1949. But all the 2023 Rod Run vehicle entries had to be American made, a stipulation that more than a few vehicle owners appreciated.

“We got out here at 6 a.m. this morning, met with the police department and coordinated with them in getting everything all set up,” Mazour said. “It almost wasn't enough time, though, as everybody got here really quick.”

The number of entries, attendance, weather, and the eclipse overhead were enough to satisfy Mazour and his staff for their months of preparation.

“It’s been a great attendance, probably 250 cars, a couple thousand people, and with beautiful weather,” he said. “It almost looks like we know what we're doing.”

Canopies lined the Main Plaza, where attendees could buy everything from a Coke and hot dog to car parts, bumper stickers and even a haircut. Two bands played for crowds, in the Hamby’s parking lot to the south, and from the second floor of the H.O. Adler building, above the Tusculum Brewing Company on Main Street.

“We’ll reconvene in about a week,” Mazour said, “and say hey, what did we do good, what did we do bad, what’s this-and-that.

When asked how soon planning for the 37th annual HCM Rod Run begins, he said, “Yeh, it’s on now. We’ve exceeded our numbers that we thought and Main Street is packed full of cars, so it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Any changes previous Rod Run participants and attendees might have noticed worked out for the best, he said.

“We’ve interjected some fresh air, some fresh life and youth into the Rod Run,” he said. “There’s loud music, you can smell good food in the air, everybody's drinking beer, and there’s a lot of young families out here enjoying this,” he said. “That’s what makes it so fun.”