July may have been on the slower side compared to years past, and early August followed the same trend, but everything kicked into gear after VC Meet’s electrifying 10-Year Anniversary celebration. From block parties to coastal cruises, August ended up being one for the books — and September is shaping up just as strong.

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🎉503 Motoring Block Party – August 2nd

A relaxed but stylish kickoff to the month. With plenty of vendors, exotic cars, and the summer heat still mild, this event was the perfect chance to enjoy high-end builds while connecting with local businesses.

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🏖Unknown Coastal Cruise – August 8th

Organized by Papa Midnight with Salem area club Unknown, and in collaboration with Oregon Connected Tuners and Douglas County Pop Up, this two-day coastal run mixed a group cruise with a track and dyno day at Coos Bay Raceway. Community-focused, adventurous, and outside the usual mold — this is the kind of event we need more of.

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🎂Tanners Birthday Cruise – August 9th

Tanner has been hosting cruises in the area for a solid year – and many people have thoroughly enjoyed them. With varied destinations, ample time to hang out before heading out, and a wide variety of cars, his cruises are something that really brings the community together. His birthday was no exception, even pulling in drivers of Jaguar and Maserati.

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🏙VC Meet 10-Year Anniversary – August 16th

The turnout was massive, with everything from antiques to exotics pulling in. Clubs, solo enthusiasts, vendors, and even curious passersby came through to celebrate a decade of VC Meet. This was car culture at its finest — blending nostalgia with today’s energy. They aimed to create something legendary, and they absolutely delivered.

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💟Woodburn Cars and Coffee – August 17th, Pink Wheels

Pink Wheels highlighted women who keep the car culture moving forward. From builders and drivers to designers and enthusiasts, it was a showcase of stories too often overlooked in the scene.

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🏎Automobile Passions – aUGUST 23RD

Now holding down a regular spot at the old Costco lot, Automobile Passions has been steadily growing. They’re quick to share info about other events across Oregon and do a great job keeping things organized. Josh leads with humility, balancing respect for the community while handling anyone who disrespects the spot. Expect these to keep growing into can’t-miss meets.

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🌃Woodburn Cars and Coffee Night Meet – August 23rd

Despite short notice, the night meet drew a solid crowd. With the announcement that Night Meets will now happen monthly, this is a tradition that’s here to stay.

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🌌Wasted Space – August 25 and beyond

Wasted Space has been its own rumbling monster this month. With frequent pop ups, each gaining more traction than the last, speculation started on to whether or not Wasted Week was actually gonna wait. Last week, they really started kicking into gear, with multiple pop ups – but still with Wasted confirming Wasted Week wouldn’t happen until later. After almost a full week of pop up meets, Tyler decided it was time to send it; Wasted Week 2025 launched earlier than previously announced, and isn’t stopping after just a week — this year it’s running for an extended period, transforming into a rolling celebration of the underground spirit that makes it so iconic. This shift feels special, alive, and like a milestone moment for Oregon’s car scene- because it is. Respect for the spot seems to have reached home, and as a result, we get a little treat.

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👀Looking Ahead – September 2025

• KGO: Oregon State Fair Showcase – Sept. 1
• Mint Cars and Culture – Sept. 5, Beaverton (7–9pm)
• Woodburn Dragstrip: Pacific Waterlands – Sept. 7
• Woodburn Cars and Coffee: No Cars and Coffee – Sept. 7
• Tuner Coalition: Subaru Meet – Sept. 6, Oregon City
• Woodburn Cars and Coffee: German Uprising – Sept. 14
• KGO: Dream Machines Car Show – Sept. 21, Brush Prairie (11am–5pm)
• Woodburn Cars and Coffee: GT Ascending – Sept. 28

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⚙Final Gears

The car scene has been on fire this summer, but there’s still room to grow. Tuners consistently pull up in force, while classic muscle is often underrepresented. To bring those drivers in, we need to show respect for the “old heads” of the community — not just their cars, but their experience and wisdom.

That starts with us keeping events respectful and well-run. When venues and neighborhoods see we can manage ourselves, we gain trust — and with it, more places to host. Pat’s Acres and spaces like it remind us that if we push for the right outlets, drifting, rev battles, and spirited driving can have a home – and thats a good thing for all of us. Another area we could improve on is how we care for the spaces we’re in before leaving – while the revving and burnouts have been almost completely non-existent, there has been a tendency by some to leave trash behind. Lets work on that- no trash left behind. It’s frustrating for organizers to go around behind after everyone has left and clean up trash that wasn’t there when we all arrived.

Summer may be winding down, but build season is right around the corner. I can’t wait to see what Oregon enthusiasts bring out in the months ahead.

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State of the Scene is a monthly snapshot of the Pacific Northwest car community, brought to you by Woodburn Cars and Coffee.