Hot Spot Car Rally set for June 18 in Hot Springs State Park

The Thermopolis Hot Spot Car Rally will be held in the Hot Springs State Park Washakie Shelter on Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Early-bird registration begins at 8 a.m. The Driver’s Choice and People’s Choice Awards are at 4 p.m.

Stephanie and Jason Owens are now organizing the Hot Spot Car Rally.

Stephanie said, “This year it’s a little different. We’re doing just one day instead of two and we moved it to Saturday rather than Sunday. So that dads can go have an actual Fathers’ Day with their kids. It’s been suggested over several years that people wished it was on a Saturday, not a Sunday. We’ll see. Hopefully, it’s a good thing.”

Stephanie added, “We still have all the same trophies and the rocks. We have always bought big river rocks and they have an engraving for the trophy. We have 13 this year.”

Regarding the various prizes, Stephanie said, “We ran around to all local businesses. We hit Worland and Thermopolis. Businesses are so very good at giving us door prizes. So what our goal is, say we have 120 cars and we have 120 prizes as well. Everybody gets something. We’ve gotten things from car wax to free lunch to anything.”

Stephnie described how participants win prizes and said, “When they register say their car, I take their total number and I put it in a container. It’s kind of a raffle.”

Regarding food vendors, Stephanie said they have six coming with a variety of different foods to eat. Professional DJs Kyle Hessenthaler and Russ Ferree will provide entertainment.  

Also, there will not be a parade of cars, but Stephanie recommends that people drive their cars around and eat out at the various local restaurants.