Reenactment of famous Model T race passes through historic Issaquah

More than 50 vintage Ford Model Ts have set off to cross the country along the back roads of 12 states, to reenact the Ocean-to-Ocean Automobile Race. The race was part of the opening festivities of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific (AYP) Exposition in 1909. Like the original race, members of the Model T Ford Club International will drive west along nearly 4,000 miles of this country’s oldest highways from New York to Seattle’s University of Washington campus, the site of the 1909 AYP. In the original event, only four vehicles crossed the finish line on the West coast. The drivers, and their cars, will be laying over in Issaquah on Saturday, July 11. The Vintage Model Ts will be on display at the Historic Issaquah Train Depot from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., a perfect opportunity for anyone interested to come by and check out the cars and visit with the drivers. In addition to the cars, the Issaquah History Museum at the Depot will be exhibiting dozens of mementos from the 1909 AYP. The museum will also have two presentations by Steve Grate: “On the Way to the AYP,” at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. At 3 p.m., the Model T’s will leave the depot and cruise to the XXX Rootbeer Drive-in, where they will be for about a half hour before parading down Gilman Boulevard to the Evergreen Ford Dealership at the far end of Gilman. Evergreen Ford and the Downtown Issaquah Association will be co-hosting a private barbecue for the drivers. The museum is in need of volunteers to help out with the event. Anyone who could spare a little time is encouraged to email secretary@downtownissaquah.com or call Greg Spranger 425-681-5408. On Sunday morning, July 12, the Ts will drive from Issaquah to Renton, up Rainier Avenue, through the Arboretum to end their run at Drumheller Fountain on the UW campus. For more information visit www.aype.org.

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