Woodies on the Wharf started in 1999 with 30 cars and a lot of enthusiasm. Ten years later, this car show is one of the largest gatherings of wood-sided car owners in the world. With over two hundred cars participating from all over the western United States and Canada, Woodies on the Wharf in 2010 was the largest turnout to date.
Hot Rods at the Beach started in 1998 as a fundraiser to build a nostalgic police vehicle for the Santa Cruz police department. The first show had 200 cars and 30 volunteers. In 2010, the event featured over 500 cars, over 60 volunteers, and 15 major sponsors. The show takes place near the boardwalk, with funds raised going to a scholarship fund for Santa Cruz County High School students sponsored by the Santa Cruz Police Officers Association.
2010 was the inaugural year for the Hot Rods for Kids car show. The cars were shown at Ocean Honda located at 3801 Soquel Drive in Santa Cruz. Funds raised went to the Children's Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation. As of December 2010, the group has not yet announced if the event will be continued in 2011 and later.
The inaugural year for the Concrete Massacre car show was also 2010. The show took place at Las Animas Concrete, located at 146 Encinal Street in Santa Cruz. Concrete Massacre is a group of rockabilly and retro music enthusiasts. The event was geared to the rockabilly crowd, with live music, a pin up contest, and pre-1966 hot rods and customs. As of December 2010, the organization has not announced if there will be a 2011 show.
