The roar of vintage engines will return to the Long Beach Peninsula when the Beach Barons Car Club presents the 42nd Annual Rod Run to the End of the World, September 11–13, 2026.

One of the Peninsula’s largest and most anticipated annual events, Rod Run weekend draws classic cars, custom builds, hot rods, muscle cars and automotive enthusiasts from across the Pacific Northwest.

The main car show will be held Saturday and Sunday at Wilson Field, 25515 Sandridge Road in Ocean Park. Related activities and classic-car cruising will begin Friday as participants arrive throughout the Peninsula.

2026 Rod Run Schedule

Friday, September 11

• Classic cars and participants arrive throughout the Peninsula
• 24th Annual Ilwaco Slow Drag at the Port of Ilwaco
• Vintage vehicles gather at restaurants, lodging properties and other locations across the Peninsula

Saturday, September 12

• Rod Run show grounds open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Show-and-shine classic-car displays
• Swap meet and vendors
• Poker run
• Live music by Madd Dawg
• Participant seafood barbecue
• Engine, toolbox and 50/50 raffles
• Classic-car cruising throughout the Peninsula

Sunday, September 13

• Rod Run show grounds open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Show-and-shine displays continue
• Swap meet and vendors
• Vehicle awards
• Raffle drawings
• Final opportunity to view the registered vehicles

Some activities and times may change. Visitors and participants should check BeachBarons.com for registration information and final schedule updates.

Much More Than a Car Show

Visitors can expect rows of beautifully restored automobiles representing decades of automotive history. From shining 1950s cruisers and powerful 1960s muscle cars to customized pickups and colorful street rods, the event offers something for nearly every automotive taste.

Vehicles must be at least 30 years old to participate in the show.

Rod Run is also an opportunity for owners to share the stories behind their vehicles. Many of the cars represent years of restoration work, family history and a commitment to preserving the design and craftsmanship of an earlier automotive era.

Visitors can admire the cars, meet their owners, search the swap meet for hard-to-find parts, enjoy live entertainment and participate in the weekend’s raffles and other activities.

Affordable Family Entertainment

General admission is $5. Children younger than 12 and active-duty military personnel are admitted free, according to the event poster.

Pets and open containers are not permitted on the show grounds. Because much of the event is outdoors, visitors should bring comfortable walking shoes and clothing suitable for the Peninsula’s quickly changing coastal weather.

Classic Cars Across the Peninsula

Although Wilson Field is the center of the organized show, Rod Run’s presence will be felt throughout Ocean Park, Long Beach, Ilwaco and surrounding communities.

Vintage vehicles will fill local roads, restaurant parking lots and gathering places throughout the weekend. Many spectators enjoy finding a safe place along the route to watch the cars cruise between Peninsula communities.

Friday’s 24th Annual Ilwaco Slow Drag will give automotive fans another reason to explore the area. Unlike a conventional drag race, the Slow Drag rewards patience and careful vehicle control instead of outright speed.

Supporting Peninsula Businesses

Rod Run weekend provides an important economic boost for local restaurants, lodging properties, shops, fuel stations and other small businesses.

Large crowds are expected, and travelers should anticipate limited parking and heavier traffic along Pacific Highway, Sandridge Road and through central Ocean Park.

Drivers are encouraged to slow down, watch for pedestrians and avoid distracted or reckless driving. Spectators should remain safely away from traffic lanes while photographing and watching passing vehicles.

Celebrating Cars, Community and Memories

For more than four decades, the Beach Barons have transformed a September weekend into a celebration of automotive history and coastal community spirit.

The event brings together generations of car enthusiasts—from longtime collectors who remember these vehicles when they were new to young visitors experiencing the sights and sounds of classic automobiles for the first time.

Whether attending to display a treasured vehicle, look for a restoration project, enjoy the entertainment or simply admire polished chrome and timeless styling, the 42nd Annual Rod Run to the End of the World promises another memorable weekend in Ocean Park.