here\u2019s something about hundreds
of classic cars \u2014 every color of
the crayon box \u2014 cruising Dou-
glas County\u2019s streets for five
solid days straight.

It\u2019s a sight to see and it keeps motorists
and participants coming back for more
each year.

Nearly 1,000 drivers pull into Douglas
County each summer to show off their
classic collectibles and hot rods during

What started out as a simple idea
between a couple of local car clubs has
blossomed into an occasion that draws
about 20,000 spectators and participants
over its five-day span.

Those two events were popular enough in their debuts last year that they are now officially on the week\u2019s lineup.

This year\u2019s 28th annual Graffiti Week-
end is scheduled for today through Sunday
in Roseburg.

Last year\u2019s drag event drew about 50
cars on Sunday. This year the drags will be
held Saturday evening at the Douglas
County Speedway.

\u201cWe didn\u2019t expect that many, but all of a
sudden it took hold,\u201d said Don Larsen, a
member of the Stray Angels Car Club and
a co-coordinator of the Graffiti week. \u201cIt\u2019ll
be another place for cars and people to go

The Umpqua Flatheads Roseburg Graffi-
ti Night Cruise for vehicles 1965 and older
is scheduled for 6 to 10 p.m. The speed-
way gates will open at 6:30 p.m. and the
track will open to drag racing at 7 p.m.

Larsen said there has been some concern
by organizers about participants and atten-
dance for Graffiti Weekend because of
economic struggles for some people and
businesses, but he said he\u2019s optimistic
about the event continuing to be a success.

\u201cWe\u2019re concerned, but we\u2019re still getting
a lot of phone calls, so we\u2019re still expect-
ing a full house,\u201d Larsen said. \u201cThese
events treat people well, it doesn\u2019t cost
them an arm and a leg. People can partici-
pate with a donation here and there. We\u2019re
happy it keeps going strong.\u201d

Last year\u2019s registration totaled 439 cars that were pre-1975 models. About 70 per- cent of the registered cars come from out of the area.

Graffiti Weekend was started as an idea
back in 1982. It evolved into reliving the
\u201950s by cruising some classic cars down

Harvard Avenue in Roseburg. Now, each
summer, hundreds gather downtown to
join the founders of the Graffiti Night

noteworthy events, providing five days
chock-full of hot rods, barbecues and other
family entertainment all known collective-
ly as Graffiti Weekend.

One of those events is the 26th Annual
River Forks Show-n-Shine, another high-
light of the week, presented by the Stray
Angels Car Club. Some 500 cars, all at
least more than three decades old, will
rumble into River Forks Park west of
Roseburg for a day of display in the sun.

New events include a new poker run at
Ray\u2019s Food Place in Green and a Graffiti
kickoff show at the Roseburg Veterans
Affairs Medical Center.

Organizers for the Graffiti Night Cruise
are also trying something new this year,
opening the cruise to vehicles 1965 and
older, instead of the traditional 1960 and

Osborn said the event is made possible
by several sponsors and donations from
local businesses. Cascade Community
Credit Union is this year\u2019s major sponsor.

\u201cIt\u2019s a real joint venture between the
community,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd it\u2019s a big shot
in the arm for the town.\u201d