Maryhill Museum of Art

News Release

May 7, 2008

 

Media Contact: Leslie Wetherell

35 Maryhill Museum Drive

Goldendale, WA 98620

509-773-3733

leslie@maryhillmuseum.org

 

VINTAGE CARS CONVERGE AT MARYHILL MUSEUM
"CAR IS KING WEEKEND" SHOW AND RACE IN JUNE

 

Goldendale, Washington -- The car really is king the weekend of June 14-15, 2008 as Maryhill Museum of Art, the Goldendale Motorsports Association and the Society of Vintage Racing Enthusiasts present a weekend of car-related activities.

Concours de Maryhill Car Show

On Saturday, June 14, starting at 10 a.m. Maryhill Museum's east lawn will be chock full of classic, sport and customized cars exhibited at the Concours de Maryhill. There will be several competition categories including best original, classic, hot rod and muscle car. Anyone with a special car is invited to enter the exhibition by calling the Goldendale Motorsports Association at (800) 573-3793 or Maryhill Museum at (509) 773-3733, or by registering at the gate. At approximately 12:15 p.m. there will be a grand entry of vintage cars competing in the following day's Maryhill Loops Hill Climb.  "Maryhill is just delighted to be working with the Goldendale Motorsports Association and the Society of Vintage Racing Enthusiasts to bring this exciting two-day event to the Columbia River Gorge and Goldendale area" said Colleen Schafroth, the museum's executive director.

Maryhill Loops Hill Climb

On Sunday, June 15 vintage racecars from the 1930s to 1960s will compete in the Maryhill Loops Hill Climb race. The vintage sports cars race singly in a three-mile timed race up the historic Maryhill Loops Road, the first paved road in the Pacific Northwest.

Spectators can view the scenic hill climb race from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from the Highway 97 Overlook and from designated viewpoints along the race route. The Society of Vintage Racing Enthusiasts of Seattle organizes the race and only their approved cars and drivers will be competing.

Classic Fruit & Veggie Car Races

Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. the museum presents its Classic Fruit & Veggie Car Races for kids of all ages.  Fantastically engineered cars designed and made from fruits and vegetables compete on a 12-foot ramp for thrills and chills.

Saturday's events conclude with the presentation of the car show awards.  Food vendors will be on hand for lunch and treats throughout the weekend, and Café Maryhill is also open all day.

About the Historic Maryhill Loops Road

Constructed from 1909 to 1913 by Samuel Hill (1857-1931), founder of Maryhill Museum of Art, Maryhill Loops Road is located off Washington Scenic Route 14 just east of US 97. The road ascends 850 feet in a series of curves with a gradient of ascent at 5 percent. It consists of 25 curves, 8 of which are hairpins.

The historic road is open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and admission is free. It is available on a rental basis for special events, including tours by car and motorcycle clubs, as well as for bicycle, skateboard and car races. It is also used by the television and movie industries. For more information visit: http://www.maryhillmuseum.org/loops.html.

Experience the Enchantment of Maryhill Museum of Art: Founded by Sam Hill, one of the most colorful and influential figures of the early American West, Maryhill Museum of Art was dedicated by Queen Marie of Romania in 1926 and opened to the public in 1940. Located just 90 miles east of Portland and set in a castle-like chateau on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, Maryhill is one of the Pacific Northwest's cultural jewels. The museum contains world-class collections ranging from early 20th century European works to Native American artifacts and the second largest collection of original Auguste Rodin on the West Coast. A visit may include lunch, espresso and desserts at Café Maryhill. Four miles east of the museum, is the museum's full-scale replica of England's famous Neolithic Stonehenge. Maryhill Museum of Art is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 15 to November 15. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and $2 for children age 6-16. Children five and under are free. The American Association of Museums accredits Maryhill Museum of Art. Visit www.maryhillmuseum.org for more information.

Photography Visitors to Maryhill Museum's free annual Concours de Maryhill Car Show can view over 120 cars on the east lawn, enjoy food and beverage vendors and listen to a DJ spin old time rock and roll on Saturday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For a 300 dpi resolution photo click here.

###