FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR

HOT RODS, applesauce wrestling and tattoos oh my!

The third annual Rockabilly Hot Rod Rumble, slated for this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Steckler Show Place in Spotsylvania County, is about more than just good cars and good times.

It's your chance to enjoy rockabilly at its finest and at the best price of all: Free.

"It's a time to enjoy music that reflects the bad-boy tunes of the 1950s," said organizer Jay Padgett. "Rockabilly is a little bit more laid-back than some other genres of rock and allows you to get up close and personal and get dancing, too."

Perhaps you've heard about rockabilly but don't know what it is. Rockabilly is a vintage-esque form of rock 'n' roll that blends everything you've come to love about the blues, Elvis, Johnny Cash and the good old days of wholesome music.

In recent years, the rockabilly culture has become somewhat of a phenomenon, sparking a music-meets-style boom of in-hair flowers, dyed black hair and vintage garb. The rockabilly wave has seemingly transcended generations from preteens to reflective 60-plus-year olds.

The Rockabilly Hot Rod Rumble features eight rockabilly bands from the mid-Atlantic. One of those bands is Mark Whiskey and the Sours, a trio out of Baltimore.

"Bring your dancing shoes," said Whiskey, lead singer and guitarist. "Even if you don't dance, you're going to want to. Rockabilly music, in general, just makes people feel good. It's meant to be fun and makes you feel young again."

In addition to a full day of music, the grounds will feature nearly 50 vendors, an on-site tattoo artist, a barbecue and catfish vendor, a mechanical bull and a blow-up pool for applesauce wrestling.

"I'd seen an applesauce wrestling pool at another event," said Padgett. "We had to try it here this year."

And, of course, what good is a hot rod event without hot rods? Last year's show featured more than 500 cars hailing from Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and seemingly all points in between. If you've souped up your car in any fashion and its year model is pre-1972, this is absolutely the place to be this weekend.