The Times

Issue date: 4/27/09 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Ashley DeHoyos The bright pink cupcake car, driven by English teacher Sherrin Frances, was created after Hurricane Rita damaged her car.

This year's most anticipated art event is finally here with the Houston Art Car Parade featuring extravagant, fantastical, decorative vehicles from around the United States.

Hosted by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, the largest free public art event in Houston, the art car parade is having its 22nd annual parade at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9 at Allen Parkway between Taft and Downtown. Part of a three-day art celebration where anything and everything goes, these 250 crowd pleasing cars will strut their stuff on the Houston streets.

Created for the people and by the people, this year over 250,000 contestants from all over the county are expected to come to Houston to present anything from unicycles to lawnmowers to cars.

Over 300 volunteers this year to make this event possible by helping set up, serving beverages or showing off their skate moves. Any one is welcome to join the excitement.

"This event shows the wild side of Houston, and media from all over the world come to see it," Stephen Bridges, spokesperson for the Orange Show Center for Visionary Arts, said. "This changes people's perception of Texans that we're more than just cowboys."

While this event is made for fun and games, this affair is also a contest for the number one car, a challenge for the Mayor's Cup trophy.

There are 14 different categories that the competing cars can place in, and over $10,000 in cash prizes are awarded in recognition of their efforts. The vehicles are judged on creativity, daily drivers and detail of the vehicle.

"This is the best day of the whole year, it's so much fun, and it's not about winning," said Sherrin Frances, an English professor at Central campus.

During Hurricane Rita, Frances' car was damaged, and she decided to make something out of nothing and decorate her car as a cupcake.

This is her third year in the car parade, and she plans to continue adding details to her cupcake.

"This experience has affected the way I drive, now that my car is noticed. I have to be a courteous driver," Frances said.

After the parade on Sunday, May 10, a VIPit party will be held at the grounds of Houston's Historic Heritage Society. Each entrance ticket is $125 that goes to the funding organization and helps to keep the parade running. The party provides some of the best viewing spots at the parade while enjoying food and entertainment provided by Houston's businesses and organizations.

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