Join the Creston Rod Run
History of the Rod Run
The event that has now become known as the “Rod Run” started in approximately 1976, shortly after Jim and Connie Kyncl had just bought the north bar (J-Bar-K) in Creston. Easter Sunday was one of the few days that the bar actually closed, so it was an opportunity to get out and do something. The original event was more of a family affair, consisting of Jim and Connie, Jim’s parents Joe and Delores, and Jim’s sister Judy and her husband Jack. While most people celebrate the Easter holiday with family around a table, these guys celebrated with their family – and their cars. That first year consisted of 3 cars – Jim and Connie’s ’51 green Chevy, Joe and Delores’s ’62 Corvair, and Jack and Judy’s ’73 Mustang.
The term “Rod” or “Hot Rod” has been around a long time – probably since the days of the late 40’s or 50’s. Many of you, if not all, have heard the song “Hot Rod Lincoln”. The terminology which became popular in J-Bar-K now owns the title of one of the biggest annual events this small town has. If you talk to anyone who has been on a Rod Run, you will undoubtedly hear the stories of the past.
Each year as Easter got closer, talk in the bar would reflect on how much fun was had the Easter before. Anyone within ear shot was invited to join the next one.
If you have been around Creston recently, it’s obvious that people have listened – and keep coming back year after year. The first Rod Run consisted of three cars. In the early years of 2000, that number was around 80. Unofficial counts from 2005 were around 125.
This website was started as a means to share "highlights" from the past. The site has grown to contain over 800 photos and a handful of videos (more coming). While early stats are not available, almost 1400 people visited the website in 2005.
