>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

CRUISE ON UP TO JOSEPH: Rain or shine, classic cars line Main Street in Joseph during the Oregon Mountain Cruise. Two new award categories have been added to the show this year: a ladies' choice and a kids' choice award. (Photo/RON OSTERLOH).

- JOYCE OSTERLOH

- Correspondent

JOSEPH - The 19th annual Oregon Mountain Cruise promises to be another fun run down memory lane Friday and Saturday in Joseph.

The festivities begin with a '50s dance from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday in the Joseph Community Center with live music by Matt Harshman and his band.

The 2006 King of the Mountain Award winner, a 1932 Ford half-ton farm truck owned by Tom Butterfield, will be on display on Main Street. This award is voted on by car show participants.

Two new award categories have been added this year: a ladies' choice and a kids' choice award.

"It will be really interesting to see who these two groups choose," said event organizer Pam Garrett.

Voting takes place during the Show-n-Shine from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The trophy winners can be seen between 8 and 9 at the Community Center Saturday night.

The cruise to Enterprise is on the schedule for 3 p.m. Saturday.

Classic cars and trucks are entered and judged in classes like the Hot Rod class, which is for any old car that's been modified to outrun a police car, according to official Oregon Mountain Cruise entry information.

Modified/Custom cars or trucks are any old or newer cars that have altered body or paint that you would like to be seen in it at the local A&W Drive-In on a Friday night.

Classic/Restored cars or trucks look and drive the same as the day they came off the show room floor.

The Sports Car class is for any fast and fun car, U.S. or foreign.

Any old car or truck that looks like stock but can outrun Revenue Agents to the state line is in the Moonshine Hauler class.

If you decide to take in the classic car show with the Wallowa Mountains as a backdrop, remember the Oregon Mountain Cruise motto: "If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right!"