Haynes Park overrun by Mopar Fest

Cars lined Haynes Park June 15 as Mopar Fest Show and Shine got underway.

The park played host to dozens of cars that day but the show also attracted hundreds of car enthusiasts and people needing something to do for Father's Day weekend. A Mopar car is one built by one of the original Chrysler Corporation brands, which in order of ascendancy are Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, Ram, Chrysler, and Imperial. Out of the original brands, only Dodge, Ram and Chrysler are left. The Rio Rancho event featured many of these.

Besides all the Dodge Challengers, Jeeps, Plymouths and more there was only one Dodge Viper in the show. All were in friendly competition with each other.

Mopar Club of New Mexico Secretary Leona Van Ostrand says there were participants from all over New Mexico as well as Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona. She added that there were 103 cars in attendance.

"This is our 26th official year for the show, with the show being held at Haynes Park in Rio Rancho for 14 of those years," she said.

However, the show was not just for fun. The MOPAR club responsible for putting on the event also had a food drive for Roadrunner Food Bank. People who donated got raffle tickets to win a prize. Amongst the prizes was a trailer.

The show raised $210 in cash for the Road Runner Food Bank and 332 pounds of food, according to Van Ostrand.

At the end of the day, prizes went out early because, as the MC said, "It is too hot!"

Many went home to get out of the triple-digit heat.