The Houston Art Car Parade is an annual celebration of all that is crazy, cracked, weird and wonderful about the world of art cars. As with any parade, there was an element of competition – it isn’t a criticism to say that the whole ethos of art cars has a lot to do with yelling “Hey, look at me! What do you think of this?” – And by putting their work on show the art car fraternity stand, a chance of winning money and plaudits.

The big winners this year were in many cases cars that have been around a while, but which are highly respected and have been maintained and improved as the years go by. The Mayor’s Cup – one of the most prestigious awards – went to the late Ernie Steingold’s surreal Fantasy Van. The People’s Choice Award went to Jeffrey’s Oceanic Peace Extravaganza by Carolyn Marcantel and the students from Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District. Meanwhile, the parade participants themselves gave the nod to Robynn Sanders’ Psychedelic Surfer Dude Revisited.

All of the above won a grand trophy and $1500, and Robynn Sanders celebrated picking up a top award for the second year in a row – having been part of the team that worked on last year’s People’s Choice winner, Hen-a-tron.

A full rundown of the awards is available in PDF form at http://www.orangeshow.org/pdfs/2009%20Art%20Car%20Parade%20Winners%20-%20Handout.pdf.

Winners in other categories included Nicole Strine’s Shattered Vanity in the “Daily Driver” category for art cars that are completely road-legal, and the Youth Group award going to Splat – The Jackson Pollock Car by Marla Roberson and Herod Elementary School.