Get Ready for Dream Machines on May 1

The Pacific Coast Dream Machines website says it all: "It's time to get revved up for 'The Coolest Show on Earth.' Whimsical, fascinating, amusing, educational, curious, and unique are a few words that describe the Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show, Half Moon Bay's  annual celebration of mechanical ingenuity, power and style."

This year's 21st annual show takes place on Sunday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Half Moon Bay Airport. Proceeds benefit Half Moon Bay's .

"It's a remarkable show-and-tell spectacle, an outdoor museum-for-a-day," says show founder Bob Senz of El Granada. "With 2,000 driving, flying and working machines from the 20th and 21st centuries, there's something for everyone." 

What's coming?

"Visitors will get up-close looks at world-class cars of every era and style, Model T fire engines, vintage buses, custom motorcycles, tricked-out trucks, sleek streamliners, one-of-a-kind antique engines, and tractors and historic military aircraft," says Senz.

Headline attractions scheduled to appear include:
*the U.S. Army Nike Hercules long range missile, making an off-site public appearance, with National Park Service staff and interpreters giving on-going presentations
*the world's largest monster-cycle named "Dream Big."  The custom-built motorcycle weighs 6,500 pounds, and is 11 feet tall and 20 feet long, with 10-foot wide handlebars and 6-foot-tall, 3-foot-wide tires
*the one-of-a-kind Northrop-produced aviation design wonder Flying Wing, a long-range bomber with two wings and no fuselage
*Three 4-rider, dual-ramp freestyle motocross shows
*the world's fastest and loudest jet-powered "rocket bike" and other speed machines 
*a special display of military aircraft including an F/A-18 Hornet (supersonic, all-weather first strike fighter jet used by the U.S. Navy and Marines Corps), the Estrella Warbird Museum's historic Douglas C-47 (regarded as the world's greatest aircraft of its time), P-51 Mustangs (America's premier World War II fighter), a massive U.S. Coast Guard C-130 transport aircraft, YAK Russian fighters, and an exceptional array of military fighters and trainers
*a special "Green Machines" display of advanced technology/clean fuel vehicles
*Scientist Jack Schroll's "El Diablo" -- a jet-powered flame effects device designed for Burning Man Festival
*Aerobatics pilot Eddie Andreini doing fly-overs in his Stearman bi-plane and Russian fighter
*the Blastolene Brothers extreme, mega-modified machines
*Rides in an historic P-51 Mustang, T-6 military trainer, helicopters, and vintage bi-planes
*"ExtraOrdinaire": the Farmers Insurance famous 100-foot tall hot air balloon
*Monster truck rides and go-kart rides
*large and small engines refurbished by members of the Early Days Gas Engine & Tractor Association alongside Roots of Motive Power's collection of burly steamrollers, spool donkeys and restored logging equipment

The most curious displays are large and small engines collected and refurbished by members of the Early Days Gas Engine & Tractor Association. Their array of flywheel engines are enough to power antique washing machines, lawn mowers, and an entire a Lilliputian factory. On the larger side are several pieces from Roots of Motive Power's collection of restored logging equipment like spool donkeys and Buffalo Springfield steamrollers.

Rounding out the activities will be Unicycle Drag Racing, kids' amusements, food and live music featuring Shana Morrison, Claddagh and special guests. Spectator admission is $20 for adults, $10 for age 11-17 and 65+, and free for kids age 10 and under. Tickets are available at the gate only. For information, call 650-726-2328 or check out www.miramarevents.com