Classic-car aficionados joined music lovers for a festive day of car appreciation, entertainment and plain-old fun during the Presidio of Monterey Classic Car Show and Operation Rising Star Finale events here on Soldier Field Oct. 3.
This marked the first year Presidio of Monterey hosted a classic-car show, and based on feedback from installation leaders and community members, the event was a hit. The car show, which highlighted pre-1972 cars, was open to car buffs from on and off post. Some 80 entrants, including members from six local car clubs, have marked the date on their calendars as a "must attend" event for next year.
Classic-car enthusiasts\' entries were judged for Best of Show, Garrison Commander's Award, Military Choice Award and 18 other awards of excellence. Within the 21 categories, three entrants won in multiple categories. Larry Tate's 1923 Ford took Best 1920's Vehicle as well as Best of Show, while Dennis Smith's 1962 Corvette received Military Choice as well as the Best Corvette category. And, Dale Mauzey's 1934 Ford was recognized with the Best Custom and Best Flames awards.
Two cars stood out for their support of the military. Tate dedicated his Ford in support of the service members, and Fred Loveland, who nabbed Best Display with his 1934 Ford, dedicated his car in support of the Wounded Warrior Project.
Throughout the day, spectators strolled through cars from the 1920s to the 1970s while enjoying entertainment, activities and music, including a live band that was followed by a DJ who provided entertainment off and on throughout the day.
In addition to recognizing the hard work of local classic-car buffs, the event was also the finale of the Presidio's Operation Rising Star competition, which began two months earlier with nearly 40 competitors and was whittled down to eight finalists for the Oct. 3 event.
The Operation Rising Star finale capped off the preliminary competitions here to determine a POM representative to compete for the title of Army's best vocalist for 2009. Rounds of competitions have been held at 35 installations, camps or forward operating bases across the globe.
This year marks the fifth season for Operation Rising Star, which is modeled after the popular television show American Idol. The competition was open to all active-duty personnel, reservists and National Guard members and their family members 18 years and older.
Selection at the installation level was done through a combination of audience voting and the scores from a three-judge panel. The winner, Kristina Farmer, swayed the judges and moved the audience with her rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You."
Nicholas Skinner placed second with his entry "One in a Million You" by Larry Graham. And Anthony Artiaga nabbed third place with Damien Rice's "Cannonball."
According to a Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command release, Farmer's performance video will be reviewed and shared online. Then, the top 12 vocalists selected from the performance videos submitted will perform at the live finals Nov. 14 through 21 at the Wallace Theater, Fort Belvoir, Va. Second and third prizes at the televised finals are $1,000 and $500 dollars, respectively.
Then, if Farmer wins the Pentagon Channel competition, her grand prize will be an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Los Angeles to record a three-song demo CD. The package includes professional studio time and one-on-one time with music executives who will coach the winner in music arrangement, vocals, mixing and mastering.
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