Every year in early May, we team up with our neighbors over at Cats Exotics in an attempt to put together one of the most diverse displays of automotive awesome that the Pacific NorthWest has ever seen. It’s pretty wild to think that it’s been 7 years since the very first Red Square Car Show went down, and with every passing show it just keeps getting better & better. Despite some inclement, unpredictable weather, the 7th annual Red Square Charity Car Show benefiting the Progressive Animal Welfare Society came together as planned. Turnout was strong, donations were plentiful, and the show went off without a hitch!
Bright & early Saturday morning, we gathered the squad at the shop for last minute pre-show checks. Even though the forecast had predicted rain all day, it was still looking relatively overcast with occasional sun breaks. It may have not been as hot as RSCS 6, but we were definitely still bringing the heat.
Bright & early Saturday morning, we gathered the squad at the shop for last minute pre-show checks. Even though the forecast had predicted rain all day, it was still looking relatively overcast with occasional sun breaks. It may have not been as hot as RSCS 6, but we were definitely still bringing the heat.
The line-up at the stop sign off Ash Way alone looked like the start to quite an eclectic parade of automobiles. Everything from the OG #StealthMode Tesla Model S, to Blake’s purple croissant cruiser & a few of Cats finest exotics was en-route to UW!
The line-up at the stop sign off Ash Way alone looked like the start to quite an eclectic parade of automobiles. Everything from the OG #StealthMode Tesla Model S, to Blake’s purple croissant cruiser & a few of Cats finest were en-route to UW!
Once on the scene, it was all hands on deck to get tents & merch set up before cars could begin to file in. Any early birds were treated to a pre-show glimpse at the perfect Suzuka grey combo: Cats Exotics Audi RS5 & our favorite XPEL Stealth wrapped R8 GT. Both quattro cars were sporting new matching red lip accents wrapped up just for the show!
Once on the scene, it was all hands on deck to get tents & merch set up before cars could begin to file in. Any early birds were treated to a pre-show glimpse at the perfect Suzuka grey combo: Cats Exotics Audi RS5 & our favorite XPEL Stealth wrapped R8 GT. Both quattro cars were sporting new matching red lip accents wrapped up just for the show!
The Audi presence was strong at Red Square Car Show this year. Out of all the makes & models on the bricks, those four little rings held down the most space. We’re always greatful to have our local Audi constituents on-board with RSCS, and we’re looking forward to seeing them all roll out in force to the 2014 Audi Expo in a matter of months!
The Audi presence was strong at Red Square Car Show this year. Out of all the makes & models on the bricks, those four little rings held down the most space. We’re always greatful to have our local Audi constituents on-board with RSCS, and we’re looking forward to seeing them all roll out in force to the 2014 Audi Expo in a matter of months!
As the square started to fill up, the sun broke for a few brief moments & participants started filing in. While the total number of show cars wasn’t as high as years prior, we still broke in to the 70s & had considerably more day-of participants than we had anticipated.
As the square started to fill up, the sun broke for a few brief moments & participants started filing in. While the total number of show cars wasn’t as high as years prior, we still broke in to the 70s & had considerably more day-of participants than we had anticipated.
One by one, the Red Square Car Show started to really look the part.
One by one, the Red Square Car Show started to really look the part.
The sunshine didn’t last very long, but even though the rain was falling there were still plenty of people wandering the rows of autos, snapping pictures of their favorites & sharing the experience on the web with a handful of branded tags including #RedSquareCarShow, #RSCS7, and #onthebricks. We were pleasantly surprised how many fellow show goers were getting in on social sharing, and every little bit helped make the event a success.
The sunshine didn’t last very long, but even though the rain was falling there were still plenty of people wandering the rows of autos, snapping pictures of their favorites & sharing the experience on the web with a handful of branded tags including #RedSquareCarShow, #RSCS7, and #onthebricks. We were pleasantly surprised how many fellow show goers were getting in on social sharing, and every little bit helped make the event a success.
Once it starts pouring, sometimes the best option is to seek a little shelter with a tasty snack. Just like past Red Square Car Shows, we had a handful of vendors on-site to provide some high-quality lunch options to everyone who came through. There was a food truck event that happened to be on the same day as RSCS, but Ezell’s Express, Buns On Wheels, Brown Bag Baguette, and Moonie Icy Tunes did us a solid & kept us all well fed!
Once it starts pouring, sometimes the best option is to seek a little shelter with a tasty snack. Just like past Red Square Car Shows, we had a handful of vendors on-site to provide some high-quality lunch options to everyone who came through. There was a food truck event that happened to be on the same day as RSCS, but Ezell’s Express, Buns On Wheels, Brown Bag Baguette, and Moonie Icy Tunes did us a solid & kept us all well fed!
Once again, we whipped up some commemorative t-shirts for the show & participants. We had them available for purchase under the tent for all spectators, but if you signed up to show a vehicle ahead of time, a shirt was complimentary! Next year we’re planning on streamlining the process even more so everyone’s shirt order is taken care of from the start.
Once again, we whipped up some commemorative t-shirts for the show & participants. We had them available for purchase under the tent for all spectators, but if you signed up to show a vehicle ahead of time, a shirt was complimentary! Next year we’re planning on streamlining the process even more so everyone’s shirt order is taken care of from the start.
Aside from conditions slowly getting worse, the crowd continued to grow & the show roared to life! Beyond all the Audis, exotics, and imports present, there was also a strong domestic showing at Red Square.
Aside from conditions slowly getting worse, the crowd continued to grow & the show roared to life! Beyond all the Audis, exotics, and imports present, there was also a strong domestic showing at Red Square.
Our favorite re-skinned snake even showed up to support the cause!
Our favorite re-skinned snake even showed up to support the cause!
The Mclaren 650S captured a lot of eyes despite being tucked back near the trees. Without a doubt, it was one of the most eyeballed vehicles of the whole show – we were actually surprised when it didn’t take home the People’s Choice Award.
The Mclaren 650S captured a lot of eyes despite being tucked back near the trees. Without a doubt, it was one of the most eyeballed vehicles of the whole show – we were actually surprised when it didn’t take home the People’s Choice Award.
There were plenty of car wraps present besides the Stealth / Chrome Viper, including a nice matte combo from Porsche.
There were plenty of car wraps present besides the Stealth / Chrome Viper, including a nice matte Porsche combo that might look familiar to a few of our readers.
The only challenger that could step to the four rings at RSCS was Mercedes. We had a strong showing of AMG Mercs from all over the greater Seattle area, including everyone’s favorite CLK DTM & a very unique R63.
The only challenger that could step to the four rings at RSCS was Mercedes. We had a strong showing of AMG Mercs from all over the greater Seattle area, including everyone’s favorite CLK DTM & a very unique R63.
The import section of Red Square Car Show was also looking healthy this year too, with a handful of classic JDM cars, stance enthusiasts, and drifters alike.
The import section of Red Square Car Show was also looking healthy this year, with a handful of classic JDM cars, stance enthusiasts, and drifters alike.
Most importantly, we had lots of paws on the ground in support of PAWS! A wide variety of well behaved pups could be seen wandering about the show, snacking on dog ice cream & trying to avoid the rain.
Most importantly, we had lots of paws on the ground in support of PAWS! A wide variety of well behaved pups could be seen wandering about the show, snacking on dog ice cream & trying to avoid the rain.
Many of the dogs at the show were happy to pose for a moment & let us snap a pic or two, but everyone’s favorite frenchie wasn’t really feeling the rain.
Many of the dogs at the show were happy to pose for a moment & let us snap a pic or two, but our favorite frenchie wasn’t really feeling the rain.
We called the show a little early on account of the weather not letting up, but all in all it was another great year for RSCS. The show this year surpassed the $5,000 mark for donations to PAWS, and we couldn’t have done it without all the continued support from our dedicated clients, friends, and fans. Maybe by 2015, we’ll be ready for 100+ cars, and a whole separate food truck show… only time will tell!
For all things #RSCS, check out www.redsquarecarshow.com & like the official facebook page to stay up to date with show scheduling, sign-ups, specials, and more. Feeling like you missed out? Follow @redsquarecarshow on instagram for show coverage day-of & updates as we get closer to RSCS 8!
Additional image contributions courtesy of Ryan Hodgkinson & Travis Cuykendall of Cats Exotics.