Words and Photos by Shane Garletts

Welcome to Austin, Texas, Home of the 21st Annual Lone Star Round Up, a city that is quickly becoming known for its Hot Rod scene and Car Culture. The Round Up has become one of the must attend shows, with a weekend packed full of events.

The weekend starts early on Thursday, with a 'Kick Off BBQ' hosted by The Meatheads, The Thunderbolts, and The Kontinentals car clubs, it is in the middle of nowhere, but once you smell the BBQ you'll know you’re in the right place, not to mention the cool Hot Rods and the live bands. Next stop on the journey, maybe after a short nap, should be Top Notch Burger for an old school drive up style diner burger and more live bands playing throughout the night.  Friday kicks off with a Garage Crawl Cruise, a great opportunity to check out some of the car culture in Austin, visit cool Hot Rod shops and a few private collections that open up once a year to the public on a guided cruise set up to support the show. The time has come, it is time to head to The Travis Expo Center for the 21st Annual Lone Star Round Up, where you will be greeted by some of the best Traditional Hot Rods, and Customs from around the country, a great swap meet for that hard to find Hot Rod part, an Artist Exposition area with Coop, Weesner, Grundy, to name a few, and live music throughout the day. This year included a special  event The 20 Years Of Deadend Magazine hosted by Los Coshinos! Saturday it is back to  The Expo Center for more Hot Rods, Gassers, and Customs along with a day packed full of live music from several different bands, followed by a top picks award ceremony. The show may be over, but the weekend is not, two different Hot Rod shops host after parties, The well known Austin Speed Shop and Muphos Rods and Customs. As the weekend comes to close, there is a quick cruise to The Ski Shores Cafe on the Colorado River for a quick bite. Last stop on your Lone Star journey should be Mercury Charlies Garage for a shop tour, live music, and more great cars.