Fans of lowriders, vintage Chevrolets and classic Pontiacs are set to have an exceptionally fun Saturday with car shows popping up in both Venice and Santa Monica.

On Sept. 11, the Venice car show will take place at Oakwood Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. while the Santa Monica show will be held on the Pier from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Both shows are a celebration of Hispanic culture and contributions to the local area and are free family-friendly events intended to bring the community together. This year the Venice car show will be raising money for the Venice Mexican American Traquero monument, which was approved for placement at Windward Circle in a May L.A. City Council meeting.

The monument will honor Mexican and Mexican American Railroad Workers known as “Traqueros” who played a key role in the construction of the Main Railroad Transportation System and the Pacific Electric Interurban System in Los Angeles.

“This is bigger than the railroads, this is a piece of our Mexican American History that has been erased. This is the light for the future that people will remember the past,” said Jose Gonzalez, Venice native and committee member for the Traquero Monument.

The monument is slated for completion in 2024 and was spearheaded by Laura Ceballos, a Venice native and community activist. Ceballos’ parents immigrated to Venice in the 1960s from Jalisco and Nayarit in Mexico.

Ceballos is excited to bring the monument project to fruition and help fund it through a vibrant event celebrating local Mexican American heritage. The Venice Car Show will feature a range of activities including a Oaxaquena food truck, Mexican gifts, raffle, photobooth and live performances by Danza Azteca Chichimeca and Donja Princesa Folklorico Group.

The show is hosted in collaboration with the Westside Classics Car Club and car entry fee is $25.

Over at the Santa Monica Pier, community non-profit Pico Youth and Family Center will be hosting a classic car show in celebration of Latino/Hispanic heritage month.

There will be live performances by local bands and artists The Midnight Cruzzers and DJ Chel, as well as the Miss Chevy Pinup Contest. Car entry fee is $30 and there is a requirement for pre-1975 cars. Participants will be entered in a raffle and award show.

City Council agreed to provide $5,000 in funding for Pier show and former Councilmember and Pier business owner Greg Morena is contributing $1,000. The Pier Corporation has also agreed to waive the typical $15,000 rental fee for use of the Pier parking lot.

“It’s a great way for these car clubs to gather to show solidarity, to talk to their friends, talk to their neighbors as part of Hispanic Heritage Month in September,” said Councilmember Phil Brock. “This is an ideal way to promote a group gathering to show their heritage, to show their pride, to show that they have a peaceful loving presence.”

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Source: https://www.smdp.com/two-classic-car-shows-honoring-hispanic-history-are-rolling-into-town/208219