Carnation’s “annual” car show has had a checkered past, in that it has struggled with locations in previous years. Also, there was no show last year.

“Steve and Doreen Norton started Hot Rods & Harleys in the late ‘90s, said Carnation Fourth chairperson Kim Lisk.

Under their guidance, the show went on every year, and it hit a bump when the couple stepped down from running it in 2010, but kept going. “But last year, we couldn’t find anyone to chair it.”

So the Hot Rods & Harleys show didn’t happen, to the disappointment of this year’s show organizers, Trent Whatley of Sammamish and Tommy Vondra of Carnation. Both volunteered, separately, to put on the car show after finding out it was cancelled and in the course of organizing the event, they’ve changed the name and location, and gave a nod to show founder Steve Norton, who died May 7. They also made a daring decision — to have a pin-up girl competition as part of the event.

Whatley recently took the time to answer a few questions about the show and why it’s important. He talks about pin-up girls, too.

What’s the new name?

CarNation American Customs & Classics Show.

Why is it important to you to have the car show as part of the event?

I have participated in the car show in past years and knew they were looking for someone to take over the show last year but figured a Carnation local would take on the role.

I went to register for the show last year only to find that they had not found a volunteer for the job and had cancelled the show, what a disappointment. So I decided I would volunteer and see if we could get things started back up. Luckily for me the carnation Fourth Committee welcomed me and Tommy stepped up to help out as well so off we went.

For me the Carnation car show has always been a favorite because it just feels different from a lot of other shows. The whole Carnation Fourth event represents what a hometown celebration is all about. It just didn’t seem right that it was missing last year.

Where is the show going to be held?

The new location at the Tolt-MacDonald Park, I think, will prove to be an even better and larger location for the car show.

By moving the show to the park and starting at noon it will allow the cars and bikes to be an actual part of the parade as well as a welcomed part of the afternoon activities including live music, food and other family events leading up to the main event, the fireworks show.

King County Parks were very receptive to the new location and have been extremely helpful in making this transition.

What about the pinup girl contest?

Well what would an all-out family event be without a little home-town participation?

I really wanted to do something fun with the trophy presentations and figured a few malt-shop girls mixed in with a little rockabilly flair would make for a fun photo op for the car show crowd.

(The competition has a family-friendly emphasis, and participants must be 18 or older. See full rules at www.carnation4th.org/carshow_2015.htm.)

We are also going to be honoring the founder of the first Hotrods and Harley’s show Steve Norton. Steve was a longtime Carnation resident and just recently passed away so we thought we give out a special trophy at this years Carnation American Customs and Classics Show in his honor, the Steve Norton People’s Choice Award.