Ferndale Record article July 15, 2025

30 years of Rod Running in Ferndale by Kevin Doucette

Despite cloudy weather, event still considered a success

More than 70 cars were signed up to be shown off at the 30th annual Whatcom County Cruising Association’s Firecracker Rod Run on Saturday, July 11, at Pioneer Park.
“We did real well this year even though the weather wasn’t that great,” event spokesman Gary Patterson said. “I don’t know the exact numbers yet, but overall I know it was a good show.”
There was a movie Friday night for those who chose to camp, as well as food, a poker run and, of course, many classic cars.
People who came to check out the large assortment of vehicles ranged from young to old, Canadian to American and more.
“It is wonderful to see these old cars and wonderful to see that people still care enough about the cars I saw when I was growing up as a teenager,” said Mario Bonilla. “And the young ones get to see what a ’56 and ’57 Chevy looks like, and it is a really neat, positive thing to have Canadians come here to share their cars with us as well.”
Patterson said there were 71 cars at the event, which was $15 to enter. And with the food, a 50/50 raffle and live music from Ferndale High School art teacher and Wolfman Jack impersonator Terry Fitzgerald, Patterson said the event did quite well. A large portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Ferndale Food Bank, according to Patterson.
Because of the Cal Ripkin 12U state tournament going on next door, Patterson said it brought a few more people out to the event to get food and check out the cars.
John York brought his two boys, Ryan and Jackson, to the event, and he said he wasn’t sure if they would even like it, but they were interested in every car and thought they looked really cool.
“They loved it here. They wanted to look at every single one, and they were describing the lights and are like ‘Look these are like rocket lights,’” John York said. “So I think this is pretty cool. I think every dad should take their kids to something like this.”
The WCCA and the Firecracker Rod Run have been running 30 years strong, and hopefully it can maintain the success and go for another 30 years.

The caption under the picture reads: John York and son Jackson take a look at Garry Baxter’s 1970 Chevy during the 20th annual WCCA Firecracker Rod Run on Saturday.

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