Hi-Line Cruz'n celebrates 25 years of Rod Run

For a quarter of a century, car enthusiasts from all over have gathered in Havre around the second weekend of June for Hi-Line Cruz'n's Bear Paw Rod Run. This year the tradition continues.

Rod Run organizers are expecting around 100 car owners, the event's typical draw, to come to town this weekend full of activities, mostly at the Great Northern Fairgrounds.

Barb Salerno, who has been involved with the run for more than 20 of those years, said that the event draws participants from all over the state and some northern Canadian neighbors as well.

The vehicles come not only from a wide range of places, but also throughout the breadth of automotive history.

"We've had anywhere between 1920s-type vehicles up to the brand new Camaros," Salerno said. "It's a whole range of vehicles: motorcycles, pickups. We don't turn anything away."

All of those vehicles will be on display at the fairgrounds for the free Show & Shine, on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Two of those vehicles that will be on display Saturday are Travis and Michelle Burchard's vintage Chevies: a 1957 station wagon and 1969 Camaro RS.

Travis has been interested in cars since he got his license around the time the Rod Run first started.

He and his wife have only been members of Hi-Line Cruz'n for the past four years, but they have a great time in the club and at the Rod Run.

They say they've always appreciated meeting new like-minded people, showing off and comparing projects, seeing the young eyes of the next generation of motorists fill with "that awe look."

"It's just something to do, hanging out with other people with the same interests," Burchard said. "It's fun. It's cars."