Once a year classic car owners roll their shiny rides into Old Town Eureka to show off for fellow old-school automobile owners and enthusiasts. Today marked the car show portion of the 25th annual Cruz’n Eureka —three days of car-centered events to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods.

The event kicked off on Thursday with the Cruz’N Eureka Poker Run. On Friday attendees got to check out the Show N’ Shine and the Car Cruz and the events ended today with the Cruz’N Eureka Car show, where car owners compete for awards.

Cars started pouring onto Third street in Eureka at 7:30 this morning. Event announcer Tim “Tres” O’Brien told the Outpost that figuring out exactly where to park each car can  sometimes be a daunting task.

“It can be challenging,” he said. “You have some people who have been coming here for many years and favor certain spots. You try to facilitate it with a smile.”

After dealing with the usual parking drama, which O’Brien said was actually pretty minimal this year, he gets the exciting task of announcing the winners.

Probably the most prestigious award is “Best of Show,” which is voted on by the attendees. O’Brien told the Outpost that the winner is featured on next year’s posters and t-shirts and gets a prominent parking spot in front of the gazebo.

Other people’s choice awards include “Best Paint,” and “Coolest Cruiser.” Others are handed out by judges and include such categories as “Flaming Flames,” given to the best flame-painted car, and “Best Fixer-Upper,” given to a car that might still need a little work.

One of this year’s judges Allen Mann told the Outpost that there are at least 40 categories which can receive and award. “We spread ‘em around, so everybody has an opportunity to potentially get an award,” he said.

As far as what the judges are looking for, Mann said that it really depends on the category and on the judge. Mann looks for things like detail and how well the owner has cared for the car. But he said that some personal preference comes into play too.

“Each judge has their own way of doing it,” he said. “We don’t have a check-list.”

Mann was the winner this year for “Best Custom Truck,” for his 1951 Ford Pickup. But he told the Outpost that he didn’t vote for his own truck and he promises the awards aren’t rigged.

Another award was given to Dan Luzzi of Fortuna. His 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme won the “Coveted Convertible” award today —an award given to the best custom convertible.

Luzzi told the Outpost he’s been coming to this event for 13 years and he loves it. “You meet a lot of really, really good people at these shows,” he said. “Some of them you remain friends from here on out.”