SEMA is one of those events that has something for everyone. While attending the 2009 SEMA show there was plenty to see. Crazy dual axle S-10, raised Ford and Chevy trucks and I even ran into David Neal’s 1968 Chevy C-10. For those who don’t know this truck it was the cover truck for the January 2009 issue of Classic Trucks. Overall from last year to this year the SEMA show has grown and I look forward for next year’s show.

For years, Brothers, one of the nation's most popular sources of '47-87 Chevrolet and GMC truck parts, has hosted an annual gathering for its countless loyal customers, giving them not only an opportunity to show off their Chevy and GMC pride and joys but also a chance to spend some quality time with a huge crowd of like-minded classic truckers. Since the company's inception, Brothers has hosted their show at the spacious Featherly Park in Anaheim, California, which provides plenty of shade for the large show area.inline_mediumwraptextright31196925/events/1001clt_2009_brothers_chevy_gmc_show_shine1001clt_01_z+2009_brothers_chevy_gmc_show_shine+event_parking.jpgTrue

There's one consistent factor when it comes to Pickups Limited's annual F-100 Western Nats-it always draws the nicest collection of classic all-Ford pickups in the Southwest. This year's gathering reinforced that fact with a turnout that broke all previous attendance records for the Featherly Park venue. As is always the case, the enthusiastic members of Pickups Limited's Orange County chapter worked their tails off to host what has been for years So Cal's premier all-Ford truck show. An eclectic collection of over 200 classic pickups and their rightfully proud owners took advantage of the comfortably shaded Featherly Park location to show off their handiwork and spend a pleasant day visiting with like-minded Ford pickup fans, participants and spectators alike.inline_mediumwraptextrightThis past season's 27th annual F-100 Western Nationals drew a record crowd with participants from as far away as Tennessee and Nebraska making their way to the show for a weekend of classic truck camaraderie.31159959/events/1001clt_2009_ford_f100_western_nationals1001clt_01_z+2009_ford_f100_western_nationals+record_attendance.jpgTrue

Known mostly for its deep roots in the country music industry, Nashville is a great place to visit, especially if you plan the trip around the Goodguys Nashville Nationals. Usually held the last weekend of June, the weather is always hot, but this year, the mixture of high temperatures and high humidity gave everyone an excuse to find a shade tree. To aid in the comfort of its participants and crew, Goodguys has changed the date of the Nashville Nationals, moving it to the month of May in hopes of pleasant springtime temperatures.inline_mediumwraptextright26836522/events/0912clt_2009_goodguys_nashville_nationals0912clt_01_z+2009_goodguys_nashville_nationals+custom_flames_paint_job.jpgTrue

The Grand National Roadster Show, aka the GNRS, the Oakland Roadster Show, or the "Pomoakland" Roadster Show to some since the show moved south from the Bay Area to Pomona, California, six years ago, is also the granddaddy of all shows. To those that don't know, the GNRS is the longest running indoor car show in the country and celebrated its 60th year in 2009. Having over 500 entries under one roof is no small feat, and one that can only be understood by witnessing it first hand.

Web exclusive photos taken at the 2008 SEMA show in Las Vegas.

People often comment on the growth of events, saying they can't believe how they've developed so large so quickly. I too have made such comments. Take, for instance, the Lonestar Round Up-Austin, Texas's unique, multifaceted hot rod happening. Now in its seventh year, the show has evolved from its grassroots infancy into a full-fledged respectable event, attracting people from across the U.S. and beyond. But as amazing as the rapid growth may seem-from a tight-knit gathering of like-minded folk to an almost cult following-seven years is a bit more than just an overnight period of time. I guess when something happens only once a year, the months in between don't always equate as they should. Two weeks out of the past seven years really doesn't seem like a whole lot...but then again, we're not the ones planning, promoting, and staging the Round Up. That would be The Kontinentals, the Austin club responsible for the continued success of the event.

The 1st Annual B&M / McLeod / Hurst / Classic Motorsports Group Charity Car Show was held at the B&M Facility in Chatsworth, California. With an early jump-start to the day, registration opened before 7 a.m. as attendees began to line up. One beautiful car and truck after another passed through registration and lined up in the street, behind the B&M buildings, inside the warehouse, and in the neighboring businesses. The broad range of vehicles on display was incredible. Street rods, musclecars, classic trucks, late-model Camaros, Mustangs of all body styles, Mopars, Corvettes, a Pro Gas car, and a Studebaker were there just to mention a few. Fuel-injected, nitrous-equipped, supercharged, as well as normally aspirated big-blocks, small-blocks, inline-sixes, and 12-cylinder engines were displayed by the over 200 entrants. The paint and finish on the vehicles ranges from black to white and every color in the rainbow, including many flame jobs.

Spring is here (and well on its way into summer!) and we kicked off the show season at the fairgrounds in beautiful, beachside, Del Mar, California for the annual Goodguys show.

It's hard to believe that an entire decade has passed since the very first Goodguys Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. Actually, for some it may seem like it's been a lot longer. No matter what your take, there's one simple fact that everyone has no choice but to agree upon: The Nats have grown immensely since its inception, and for all intents and purposes, that is something to write home about!

Pickups Limited is an F-100 club that was started here in Orange County, California, in '68 by Lee Hill, who posted an ad in a local paper looking for others interested in '53-56 Ford F-100 trucks, and the rest is history! For 25 of the last 39 years, Pickups Limited has hosted the F-100 Western Nationals truck show, which has become the largest all-Ford truck show in the Western United States.

Of all the shows and events I attend year in, year out, there are but a few that I anticipate as highly as one: Paso Robles, or more appropriately, West Coast Kustoms' Cruisin' Nationals. The reasoning is quite simple, really, but let me explain, as I'm sure many of you might share the same sentiments about a particular event as well.

According to Forbes magazine, Des Moines, Iowa, got their vote as fourth "Best Place for Business" in '07. That may be the case, but the capital city should be ranked first in having a good time! Having never been to Iowa, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I do know that Goodguys wouldn't be having one of their outstanding shows there if it were a bust.The event was held just east of downtown Des Moines at their fairgrounds, which turned out to be much more than a flat lot with space enough for anyone's favorite carnival rides. The grounds covered what has to be more than half a dozen city blocks and is also home to some neat old historic buildings that continued up the green hills to the east just below the campground. As Friday morning went on, cars, trucks, and hot rods filled all the available roads surrounding the hills, many of which had highly sought after shady spots that came in handy thanks to a bit of heat and humidity and the workout we all got from walking the show. And if walking across the show proved too much or you just needed a break, there were two sky lifts to help out.