‘It was humongous’

WILSON CREEK — The Little Big Show keeps getting bigger. 

“Last year we doubled,” said organizer Nicholas Odorizzi. “We usually have 100 cars, and last year we had 208. It was humongous.” 

That growth has made a little reorganization necessary, Odorizzi said. In the past, the cars lined Railroad Street and vendor booths were set up on Third Street, but this year the vendors will be at the town park and the cars will fill up the street. 

There was no way to gauge exact attendance last year, but Odorizzi estimated 500-700 people came to last year’s show. Wilson Creek’s population was 204 at the last census. 

“It’s a huge event for the town,” Odorizzi said. 

The car show has been so successful that other events are joining in. The two-day Wilson Creek Bluegrass Jam moved its date this year to coincide with the Little Big Show, and many of the town’s residents are planning to coordinate yard sales for the same weekend.  

The Wilson Creek Grange Hall was recently purchased, and the new owners are planning a Hot Wheels-themed giveaway, Odorizzi said. 

The Little Big Show is still accepting registrations for both cars and vendors, according to the festival’s website. The charge for general vendors is $25. For food vendors, it’s $35, and for those wishing to show off their wheels, the fee is $15, or $20 the day of the show. 

The definition of “car” for the show is somewhat liquid. Motorcycles and bicycles have shared the street with more conventional classic cars in the past. 

“(An) antique tractor club called and was wondering if we had a tractor category,” Odorizzi said. “I’ve been trying to get the antique RV trailers, too, to come Friday night and camp.” 

The population in the northern part of Grant County is less than half that of Moses Lake alone, according to the Grant County Economic Development Council, so the small towns that make up that population have to support each other’s festivals, Odorizzi said. 

“We’re pushing more hometown support,” he said. “We’re trying to bring these little towns back and support them the best we can.” 

    The Little Big Show includes vehicles like this 1962 Volvo.
  

    Not every vehicle at the Little Big Show is a car or truck. This vintage bicycle was part of the lineup two years ago, and a local tractor club may bring entries this year as well.