Raindrops, hot rods and rock 'n' roll
CAROLINE LOBSINGER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 hour, 42 minutes AGO
Carrie and John Hughes come dressed for fun as the couple take in a few of the hundreds of classic cars participating in the annual Lost in the '50s classic car parade on Friday.
Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER
Lost in the '50s car parade participants pose for the camera as they show off their '50s cool during Friday's annual parade.
Scenes from the 2026 Lost in the '50s car parade.
Scenes from the 2026 Lost in the '50s car parade.
Scenes from the 2026 Lost in the '50s car parade.
Scenes from the 2026 Lost in the '50s car parade.
Scenes from the 2026 Lost in the '50s car parade.
Scenes from the 2026 Lost in the '50s car parade.
A few of the classic cars taking part in the 2026 Lost in the '50s car parade.
I grew up in the Tri-Cities, Wash., and have always loved to write. I attended the University of Washington, where I earned a double major in journalism and political science, with an area of emphasis in history. I am the fifth out of six kids — don't believe any of the stories that my siblings tell. To be able to tell others stories and take photos for a living is a dream come true — and I considered myself blessed to be a community journalist. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking and spending time outdoors, genealogy, reading, and watching the UW Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks. I am a servant to my cat, Frankie, who yes, will eat anything and everything in sight … even wedding cookies. | May 16, 2026 1:00 AM
SANDPOINT — There might have been a few raindrops.
And there were definitely a few clouds.
And it might not have been the sunny skies of early May, but as one classic car after another rolled their way through downtown Sandpoint, the magic of the '50s took over and sent rays of smiles throughout the crowd.
Several hundred cars took part in the annual kickoff to the Lost in the '50s celebration and crowds lined downtown streets to catch the action, many staking out favorite spots in advance and others grabbing pizza to enjoy a little dinner with the show.
Following the parade, dancers of all ages learned the basics of swing dancing as one classic hit after another filled the area around Jeff Jones Town Square. Other folks headed out to the fairgrounds for the first Lost in the '50s show with Rocky & the Rollers rocking the main exhibit hall with the top hits from the many legendary artists who have performed at the event over the years.
The fun continues today with the annual Lost in the '50s car show taking over downtown Sandpoint, starting at 9:30 a.m. and continuing to 4 p.m. with cars filling up downtown streets. Check-in begins at 6:30 a.m. with the registration booth located at the corner of First and Cedar.
Later in the day, Chubby Checker and the Wildcats will headline the Lost in the '50s concert and is guaranteed to have the crowd dancing and having a blast.
A Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame icon, Checker has 36 hit records and is the first artist to have a single to top the chart twice. Among his biggest hits are "The Twist", "Pony Time" and "Let's Twist Again."
"Dick Clark had said that “the three most important things that ever happened in the music industry are Elvis, the Beatles and Chubby Checker," '50s organizers said in a social media post. "For sure they made the way for many."
For more information, go online to lostinthe50s.com.
Lost in the '50s car parade participants pose for the camera as they show off their '50s cool during Friday's annual parade.
Scenes from the 2026 Lost in the '50s car parade.
Scenes from the 2026 Lost in the '50s car parade.
Scenes from the 2026 Lost in the '50s car parade.
Scenes from the 2026 Lost in the '50s car parade.
Scenes from the 2026 Lost in the '50s car parade.
Scenes from the 2026 Lost in the '50s car parade.
A few of the classic cars taking part in the 2026 Lost in the '50s car parade.ARTICLES BY CAROLINE LOBSINGER
Raindrops, hot rods and rock 'n' roll
Lost in the '50s rolls into Sandpoint for classic vibes
Cruisin’ back in time with Lost in the ’50s
Chrome, classics and Chubby Checker headline the weekend
Classic cars, live music and nostalgia return as Lost in the ’50s takes over Sandpoint. The weekend features a parade, downtown car show, street dance and concerts, with Chubby Checker headlining at the fairgrounds.
Cruisin’ back in time with Lost in the ’50s
Chrome, classics and Chubby Checker headline the weekend
Classic cars, live music and nostalgia return as Lost in the ’50s takes over Sandpoint. The weekend features a parade, downtown car show, street dance and concerts, with Chubby Checker headlining at the fairgrounds.