Kustom Kulture draws a crowd | Kitsap Week

The Kustom Kulture Festival came to North Kitsap on May 31 and June 1. Live music was provided by 19 bands, ranging from rockabilly to outlaw country. More than 250 classic cars showed up, along with more than 200 motorcycles. Organizers estimate that more than 3,000 people attended the festival this year.

Clearwater Casino Resort was taken over by hot rods, iron horses, high heels, and enough hair grease to cause an ecological disaster should a hepcat accidentally fall into Puget Sound.

The Kustom Kulture Festival came to North Kitsap on May 31 and June 1. Live music was provided by 19 bands, ranging from rockabilly to outlaw country.

More than 250 classic cars showed up, along with more than 200 motorcycles. Organizers estimate that more than 3,000 people attended the festival this year.

This year was Kitsap’s sixth such festival extolling the Kustom Kulture retro scene. The moniker encapsulates the celebration of American pop culture, largely stemming from the 1940-60s, but with a modern twist. Just as over the decades, rock ’n’ roll flowed into punk rock and other genres, the retro era of greasers, hot rods and pin-ups has morphed into Kustom Kulture.

The highlight of the festival was the fashion and, in turn, the pin-up pageant that drew contestants from around the Puget Sound. Pageant participants worked within the festival’s theme, “Sinners vs. Saints.” Each contestant walked the stage, showing off their vintage personas. Each worked the crowds over the two-day festival, promoting themselves and trying to earn the most votes for the coveted People’s Choice crown. Crowns were awarded at the end of the event along with a variety of medals, as well as awards for impressive hot rods and motorcycles.

Models included Dottie Pop, Ani Moll, Elizabeth Heart, Lola Liberty, Rachel Boyd, Barbarann Garrard of Seattle, Cherry Midnight of Kingston, Sunni Merlot of Bremerton, Jezabel Vandersnatch of Bainbridge Island, Alley Kat of Seattle, Roxie Riot of Port Orchard, Lavinia Darling of Seattle, and Deladoll of Port Townsend.

The festival also included a vintage fashion show.

The Kustom Kulture Festival was pioneered by Hanah Reed and Chuck Mitchell, owners of Bremerton’s RockIt Roost. The specialty shop is a hub for interest ranging from retro clothing, craft beer and wine, and pin-up photography.

The sixth annual Kustom Kulture Festival was sponsored by Clearwater Casino Resort, RockIt Roost, Heart of Haute, Hagerty, Bachelor Pad Magazine, and Voodoo Vixen.

PIN UP PAGEANT

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