By JAYNE HANSON
TODAY’S NEWS-HERALD
An atmosphere of rock n’ roll, mingling pinup girls, classic cars, and event attendees was the scene Sunday at Rockabilly Reunion. The first-time event was well attended with a huge crowd Saturday and a few less attendees Sunday, but that did not stop the live music, the carnival, the vendors, or the contests. Overall, Rockabilly Reunion left the crowd hungry for its return next year. “Saturday was the biggest day. We went through 30 kegs of beer Saturday, we almost ran out,” said
Kennie Cuppetelli, of Events All Around and Rockabilly Reunion organizer. Cuppetelli said he accomplished what he originally set out to do. “I
broke even, I earned the trust of the community, and everybody had a great time,” he said. Cuppetelli reported an unconfirmed attendance of thousands for the event. “The streets were gridlocked. We had a crowd of all ages. Everybody enjoyed the show,” Cuppetelli said.Rockabilly Reunion car show contestants agreed
the organization was good, but had a few suggestions for next year’s contest. “They did a good job. This is a good time of year, it is not too hot and not too
cold,” said Judy Bruins of Lake Havasu City. Bruins registered her 1951 Ford Custom to be judged in the Rockabilly Reunion car show. “My only suggestion is
having the (car show) awards a bit earlier because people start going home,” said David Den Hartog of Lake Havasu City. Den Hartog is a car show veteran
and registered his 1940 Ford two-door Sedan Deluxe in the weekend car show. “The food court was fine and the music was good,” Den Hartog said.
Debbie and Corky Moore, Dave Ridgway, and Leroy and Judy Morgan, all of Lake Havasu City said the event’s car show was comparable to any other
they have participated in. The Moore’s 1932 Ford Roadster, Ridgway’s 1934 Ford Cabriolet, and the Morgan’s 1956 Plymouth were also among the 75 or
so registered car show contenders. “We are having a really good time. There has been a great turnout with minimal issues,” said Shannon Keany, owner of Cültüre
Shök Tattoo and Piercing in Lake Havasu City. The local tattoo art studio sponsored Rockabilly Reunion’s car show. The cars were judged in six
classes. The trophies presented to the winners of each class were auto-part creations from Shannon’s husband Robert Keany, a local artist and co-owner of
Cültüre Shök. The event’s organization was not the only thing contestants, vendors, and attendees were talking about. The events attendance was better than
expected and vendors are already planning to return for the event next year. “I think there has been a lot more people than they anticipated,” said Julie
Sasseen of Tinnell Memorial Sports Park committee. Sasseen said the Tinnell vendor booth sold about 100 raffle tickets for the 2008 Kawasaki
Teryx 750 that will be given away in the first part of March. The Tinnell Memorial Sports Park committee is a designated charity for Rockabilly
Reunion’s proceeds. There were a reported 45 merchandise and food vendors at the event, and many agreed Rockabilly Reunion was an event that
would grow. “For a first time event, it was awesome. The only reason we drove this far is we knew that if he (Kennie Cuppetelli) was doing it, it
would be good,” said Motor Cult clothing vendor Kim Ulrich, of San Diego. Ulrich said she saw attendees of all ages and a lot of families.
“We will be back next year. It will be bigger next year,” she said. “The response has been out of this world. It has been wonderful,” said
Allusions Hair Center vendor Alicia Cuppetelli of Lake Havasu City and event organizer Kennie Cuppetelli’s mother. Alicia Cuppetelli said she had a full house at her local salon as well as the event vendor booth over the weekend, mostly for the featured pinup girl hairdo. “It was fabulous. We are really looking forward to next
year,” she said. Food vendors agree Saturday was the busiest day and many plan on participating again next year. “I think they did pretty well. He (Kennie
Cuppetelli) was very helpful,” said Smokehouse Specialties food vendor Carolyn Marshal of Dos Palos, Calif. “We are just having fun. We take it as it
comes,” Marshal said. “They did a very good job. It is more organized than a lot of events,” said Off the Grill food vendor Bobby Lindsey, of Lake
Havasu City. “We’ll be back next year,” he said. Two Guys Pasta and Pizza food vendor Martha Branch reported an overall “good weekend” with an
“awesome crowd.” Branch said the pepperoni pizza was a popular choice among the event goers. The carnival had its own positive reviews. “I like the big twirly one,
the Typhoon. It’s the best,” said Marissa Ramos, 11, of Oxnard, Calif. Ramos’ cousin Justin Crist, 11, of Kingman, agreed and explained the two must
have rode the twirling Typhoon at least 100 times. Crist’s mother Carol Crist, of Kingman, said the event was “pretty awesome” and she is planning on attending again next year. “We’ve really enjoyed it,” she said.