Parade puts new twist on everyday transportation

Check out the car washes after a rare muddy weekend and you'll see the lineup. Folks waiting to wash the dirt off, wax and polish their prized possession. Drivers like these cringe at the first parking lot door-ding, and recoil in horror at the thought that a hailstone might damage that gleaming paint job applied in Detroit or Tokyo.

Saturday's parade is not for them.

Not that the owners of the entries in Saturday's Art Car parade aren't proud of their vehicles; in fact, they've put a lot more thought and effort into the finish of their ride than the owner of that new three-quarter-ton truck.

It's just that they're, well, different.

From a Volkswagen Bug mated with a Honda Gold Wing, to a mid-'60s sedan covered with mirrors or a truck festooned with corks, they're known as Art Cars, and they draw attention where ever they go.

Part of an effort by Route 6 Nebraska to promote economic development along the old highway, the Art Car Tour arrives in McCook at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, forms up south of the United Methodist Church at Norris and E Street, and rolls down the bricks in the parade at 10 a.m., ending at the JC Penney's parking lot. At 11 a.m., each car will park in front of t he business that is providing local sponsorship in the form of lodging and food for the day.

At 3 p.m., the artists will gather at the Biéroc Cafe for a meet and greet with the public, and Walt Sehnert and Bob Trosper will provide a history of the area followed by a driving tour through town and the immediate area.

The Heritage Days Singers will provide a musical program from 6:15 to 6:40 p.m. at the cafe.

Other events for the day include a kids art contest sponsored by the Art Guild, and sidewalk painting by the YMCA Life Y'ers members downtown.

Like to get involved? You still can. Organizers Betty Kenner (308 345-4065), Bob Trosper (308 345-1457) or Matt Sehnert (308 345-6500) are accepting donations through the newly revived Main Street program, and you're encouraged to enter your own "art car" in the parade, lining up at 9:15 a.m. Saturday near the Methodist Church. There's no charge for entries.

If you can't make it to McCook on Saturday, the Art Cars will be in Arapahoe on Friday, and Imperial on Sunday.

Organized by Don Robertson of Hastings, the Route 6 Nebraska Art Car Tour, which went almost unnoticed last year in McCook, is being promoted by the Nebraska Department of Tourism this year, and promises to be a much bigger event.

So turn out Saturday, bring your own "Art Car," or at least take time to make new friends and find out more about the historic Route 6 across Nebraska.

You'll never look at your SUV the same again.