Low Riderz

No matter how you get around in life, DROPFEST 2008 gives car enthusiasts and casual admirers alike a weekend worth taking the car out for.

Snoop Dogg once said to “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” and they do just that at DROPFEST.

Coming to the Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna June 6-8, the annual custom-car show will feature a variety of car-based entertainment, emcee competitions, the Miss DROPFEST/Male Hardbody competitions and an exciting Friday night music lineup featuring national artists. Who could think of a better way to start out the summer? From its relatively humble beginnings in 2001, DROPFEST has quickly evolved into a can’t-miss event. It started with a simple idea. One year, after traveling all over the Midwest attending car shows, local custom-car enthusiast James Sweet and his cousin James Koga suddenly wondered why they should have to drive hundreds of miles to see something that could be set up right here.

“Before the first DROPFEST, we met with the car club members and we came up with a name,” said Sweet. “Then I went out every day for the next four months. I went out and collected sponsorships and everything else we needed to get off to a good start.”

Apparently, the grass-roots effort paid off. That first year, DROPFEST had a turnout of 1,300 spectators ogling 125 show cars.

And every year DROPFEST just keeps getting bigger and better. Past years have featured featured more than eight times as many cars and five times the attendance of car enthusiasts to Kaukauna. And every year the numbers grow.

Of course, people know that DROPFEST is all about the cars gleaming, tricked-out trophies that can cost their owners more than their homes. All the different competitions are represented, from traditional drag-racing to bunny hop to hydraulic hop and dance to donuts to highest three-wheel and gas hop. As far as show cars, everything from lowriders to muscle cars to motorcycles to semis will be on display.

“DROPFEST basically shows off the hard work and creativity people put into their cars,” said Sweet. “For a true car enthusiast, it doesn’t matter if you own an import or a mini-truck or even a hot rod. The same amount of money, hard work and dedication goes into a vehicle to make it your home - a piece of art - something that nobody else will have. It’s yours.”

There’s even a category for cars that remain unfinished. Called the work-in-progress class, it’s reserved for vehicles that may still be in primer paint or missing sound systems or in need of some interior work. Matt Deffibaugh of Oshkosh is planning on entering his 1997 Dodge Avenger in this class. This will be his second year attending DROPFEST, but his first entry.

“I’m into modifying cars - it’s my thing,” said Deffibaugh. “And DROPFEST is great for this. You get to see different cars every day.”

So we’ve established that DROPFEST is about the cars. Ah, but there’s so much more. Every year, event organizers manage to book some great talent, and this year is no exception.

On Friday night, national acts take the stage. It’s one of the things that Sweet is proud to offer to the area. “Last year we brought in Buckcherry and it was a hit,” said Sweet. “This year, taking the stage Friday night is Midnight to Twelve, Shinedown and Saliva.” The concerts are included with the purchase of a Friday ticket. There will also be entertainment with more of a local feel. Green Bay hip-hop artist MC Spryte heads up the emcee competition.

“We have two major players every year in the emcee battle: DUB C and Big Ern,” said Spryte. “Usually these two are the main attraction.”

For those unfamiliar with emcee battles, Spryte explains: “An emcee battle is just that - a battle, of words and wits. The DJ will spin a beat for 30 to 45 seconds and the emcee on the mic takes that beat to rhyme about his opponent’s imperfections, or to hype up him [or her] self. I definitely believe it is one of the main attractions of the show, because it is so entertaining and you never know what to expect!”

Not only is Spryte head emcee, she is also one of the chosen few who have been on board with DROPFEST since the event started.

“I was lucky enough to get my foot in the door at the very beginning,” said Spryte. “I started flyering [sic] for the first show, back when it was held in Dale.”

Spryte has been a major promoter of DROPFEST over the years, distributing flyers, posting on the Internet and going to local businesses to drum up more sponsorship. While both Spryte and Sweet have put a ton of time and energy into each year’s event, they do get to have their fun.

“I do put my two hoppers in the show for entertainment value, as well as my truck which has been there for many years,” said Sweet.

As for Sprtye, she gives herself a chance to shine artistically.

“I perform my own songs every year, even though I am usually busy for the entire weekend,” she explains. “I haven’t participated in the emcee battle for the past two years, but I have promised to step it up this year!” While cruising the DROPFEST Web site, www.DROPFEST.com, you might notice that DROPFEST 2008 is dedicated in loving memory to Terry G. Myadze, who passed away in February 2007.

“He was a very close friend, like family,” said Sweet. “No, he was family to many of the workers at DROPFEST. He helped out for many years to make DROPFEST what it is today. DROPFEST, or life for that matter, will never be the same without him. Anyone that had the pleasure of meeting him knows what I mean....He will never be forgotten.”

With DROPFEST being all about the cars, it’s interesting to know what event organizers would have if they could have the cars of their dreams.

“A Bentley Azure, in white, with the navy and burr wood interior. I gotta have a convertible that makes a statement!” said Sprtye.

As for Sweet, he has a bit more of a classic car in mind. “As any true car enthusiast knows, no car is ever done because you will always find something new that you will want to do to a car,” said Sweet. “But the car I hope to have done in the next 10 years is one that has been in the family for 35 years. It is a 1964 Ford Galaxie XL convertible to be done in traditional low-rider style. The car will be called ‘Times Remembered’ and it will be dedicated to four generations of car enthusiasts: my grandfather, my dad, myself and my son, who is only 4. He is already interested in carsóimagine that. He hit his first hydraulics switch at the age of 3.”

More information for DROPFEST can be obtained through the Dropfest Web site, and tickets can be purchase at your local Express Convenience Center.