Midnight at the Oasis has grown up since its inception

If MATO were a person, it would now be old enough to drive.

MATO - Midnight at the Oasis, Yuma's vintage car show - turns sweet 16 when it takes place March 7-9 at the Ray Kroc Memorial Baseball Complex.

And how the annual show hosted by the Caballeros de Yuma has grown since the inaugural event on Mother's Day, 1993! The first show had about 36 cars and only about 250 people in attendance. Many of the entries had to be pushed into the show arena.

"We were trying to fill a hole in the season after the (San Diego) Padres moved to Phoenix for their spring training," explained Chuck Eckenroth, the chairman for the first and second MATO events.

"The idea was to bring people to Yuma. The timing wasn't too good for the first one, so the decision was made to move the dates to the first full weekend in March.

"I had visited a car show in Reno, Nevada, and met Randy Burke, the promoter of the Hot August Nights (car show).

"The Caballeros hired him to come down and give us ideas on how to create a successful show," Eckenroth said.

"As to the name, Burke kept talking about 'Midnight at the Oasis,' a song made popular in 1974 by rock singer Maria Muldauer. The Caballeros adopted his suggestion."

Jerry Paulin, who as one of the chairmen of past MATO shows was given the title of "Captain Midnight," also recalled Burke's counsel.

"We learned a great deal from Burke, and agreed the song was appropriate because the cars we have shown have to be pre-1972, and a time of hot rods," said Paulin.

"Burke told us that if we were going to have the classic car show, to not mix it up with cars of later vintage, or with motorcycles or anything else.

"He said to keep it basic and stay true to the plans.

"That's what we have done, and each year the number of entries has grown. By the end of the fourth or fifth years, we had between 500 and 600," Paulin said.

Eckenroth added, "We're maxed out now, with 900 entries this year.

"It's a far cry from when we used to beg people to enter, and now we have to turn some away. It's on a first-come, first-served basis as we start accepting entries in May.

"The venue for our MATO is outstanding, as we have a grass area for the vehicles, and security. Space is limited, so we can't have the event downtown.

"Around the show site there are locations for booths in the food courts. Several nonprofit agencies use these sites as fundraisers.

"Caballeros volunteer to prepare three meals each day for about 2,000 people - those who enter their cars in the event. We keep it as a fun event for all ages, especially families," Eckenroth said.

He said he used to have a 1948 Ford street rod that he entered in the show.

"But I sold it a couple years ago. I got tired of tinkering with it," he said.

In 2008, more activities have been added to the annual cruise, entertainment and show.

MATO BY THE NUMBERS

Midnight at the Oasis show dates and number of entries for each show:

1. May 7-9, 1993 36

2. March 11-13, 1994 138

3. March 10-12, 1995 318

4. March 8-10, 1996 487

5. March 7-9, 1997 650

6. March 6-8, 1998 700 (max)

7. March 5-7, 1999 750 (max)

8. March 10-12, 2000 800 (max)

9. March 9-11, 2001 800 (max)

10. March 8-10, 2002 800(max)

11. March 7-9, 2003 850 (max)

12. March 5-7, 2004 850 (max)

13. March 4-6, 2005 899

14. March 3-5, 2006 899

15. March 2-4, 2007 910

16. March 7-9, 2008 914

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Pam M. Smith can be reached at psmith@yumasun.com or 539-6856.