By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
doliveaux@soundpublishing.com
PORT ORCHARD — Ford Mustangs of all colors, shapes and sizes will be on exhibit Sunday at the 25th annual Mustangs on the Waterfront in Port Orchard. The event, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is hosted by the Kitsap Mustang Club and features more than 200 Mustangs — from 1964 classic beauties to 2013 high-performance models.
Mustangs on the Waterfront is the area’s only exclusive Ford Mustang event, and draws a crowd of spectators and car aficionados.
The cars will be classed into 36 different categories and there will be three trophies awarded in each class.
Co-chair Susan Stadshaug said trophies will be silver-coated instead of gold to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the show.
“This year, we’re also doing more door prizes,” Stadshaug said.
Last year, the awards for the club’s two Best in Show categories — one for Mustangs from 1964-78, and one for more contemporary models — were the real draw of the event.
Shelby Mustangs, built by Ford Mustang and Shelby American, were winners in both categories, with a 1966 GT350 and a 2008 Shelby GT500 Supersnake taking both Best in Shows.
There will be awards for participation and Mayor’s Choice, decided by Port Orchard Mayor Tim Matthes.
There will also be an award for club participation and traveling the longest distance. Last year’s award for furthest travel went to a man who drove from Rhode Island.
Besides the Mustangs, the show has activities including valve cover races, Saturday poker walk, a children’s coloring contest, raffle prizes, shirt sales, canned food drive, and DJ music.
Car registration is $20; public admission is free.
The Fathoms o’ Fun Festival royalty will help present the trophies during the closing ceremony.
Stadshaug, who joined the group in 1989, said nearly 60 club members work hard each year to put on the annual show.
“Port Orchard is such an awesome location for our show,” Stadshaug said.
The Kitsap Mustang Club hosted its first show at Hamburger Hogans on Kitsap Way in Bremerton in 1988. The show — Mustangs at the Mall — was held at the South Kitsap Mall in 1989 and 1990.
In 1991, Mustangs on the Fjord was held on the Poulsbo waterfront, but it outgrew the location.
Since its first show, the number of participating Mustangs has increased from 74 to more than 200.
“Kitsap Mustang Club hosts the last and only Mustang-only car show in the state,” Stadshaug said. “It’s a great show because of the club members.”
Kitsap Mustang Club has more than 60 members and more than 100 cars. The group travels to car shows, participate in parades, contribute to local food banks and shelters, collect roadside litter, and share in Mustang camaraderie.
