The 13th annual Blessing of the Cars returns to Hansen Dam Park in Los Angeles from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat., July 29.

According to the show's producers, a priest will bless each vehicle, its owner and all who may ride in it for protection.

In attendance at this year's show will be an estimated 800 vintage cars, trucks, hot rods, customs and motorcycles, choppers, bobbers, sleds, bombs and scooters.

The Blessing of the Cars show is open to pre-1968 vehicles of all types. The majority of cars on display are customs and hot rods from the 1950s and earlier. There is also a big turnout of stock and restored classic vehicles that appear to have rolled out of their heyday showrooms and onto the grass at Hansen Dam.

Custom-made competition trophies are awarded at the end of the day to the vehicles on display. Awards. At past events some of these extravagant trophies have fired flames from their tops and roared tiny engines. The following are just a few of the categories awarded: best custom, best hot rod, best girl-owned, worst hard luck, best flames, best hearse and more.

What would an awards ceremony be without trophy girls? On hand at the main stage awarding trophies and wandering about the show grounds are a host of trophy girls attired in vintage-inspired bathing-suit looks reminiscent of '50s speedway gals.

A special gallery will include a collection of car art from such artists as Von Dutch, The Pizz, Anthony Ausgang, Shag, The Creep, Robert Williams, Jimmy C, Dan Collins, Alan Forbes, The Skratch, Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, Gin Stevens, Tom Fitz and more. Many of the artists will be on hand selling books and paintings.

Visitors also are encouraged to step up to the Audience PaintA-Car and pick up a paintbrush to lay some divinely guided strokes across the body of a '50s road warrior for the duration of the show. This car will be auctioned off at the end of the day. Paint and items to attach to the car are provided. There will be a children's

craft area with projects to make and take home. The model car contest and valve cover races will be located in this area.

Entertainment will showcase rockabilly, blues, swing and surf music. The year's headliner is Candye Cane, and other bands include Moonlight Cruises, Calavera and Skeeter Truck. Hot rod movies will be shown in the Gear Head Theater.

Admission is $7, with children under 12 free. Vehicle entry registration the day of the show is $20 for cars and trucks, $8 for motorcycles.

To register for the show or for more information such as driving directions, call either Stephanie or Gabriel of Kingpin Productions at (323) 663-1265, or visit www.blessingofthecars.com.