KINGSTON — The Kustom Kulture Festival, back after a two-year hiatus, brings a modern celebration to the 1950-60’s eras of hot rods, pin ups, greasers, and rock ’n’ roll.

But unlike years past, this year the festival plans to donate 100 percent of the funds generated from the car show registration and concert ticket sales to go directly to the YWCA ALIVE Shelter, which provides emergency housing and a comprehensive range of support services for victims of domestic violence.

The festival will also include a food drive to support the North Kitsap Fishline food bank.

“This is really important for a personal reason,” event organizer Sarina Ames said. “The YWCA ALIVE shelter needs community support more than ever. Federal funding is at risk and it will be up to us, the local citizens, to provide support at a grassroots level to charities and programs that service families and protect the vulnerable.”

Ames said she hopes the effort will help keep the shelters open and funded for the future.

“I hope to make an impact with the Kustom Kulture Festival, and I encourage everyone to get involved in whatever way they can.

“Together, we can make a difference in our community, since that is ‘The Point’,” she said.

The Kustom Kulture Festival made its debut in 2009. It was originally organized by Chuck Mitchell and Hanah Reed to promote their store, The Rockit Roost.

The bash, dedicated to promoting and preserving public interest in the cars, music, and culture of the post-war era, quickly grew in popularity through 2014 and is said by attendees to have become a beloved local annual event.

This year, the festival stretches the fun a bit further as they host a three-day event of exciting cars and music all while providing a financial benefit to charities which relieve the suffering of those living with hunger and violence.

The YWCA of Kitsap County is dedicated to ensuring the personal safety, rights, welfare, and dignity of those who experience domestic abuse while building partnerships and increasing community awareness to create positive social change. More than 6,000 community members access YWCA services annually.

The Alternatives to Living in a Violent Environment – or, “ALIVE” – shelter provides emergency housing and a comprehensive range of support services for those seeking a better life.

In addition, a food drive benefiting North Kitsap Fishline will help to serve the community through the largest food bank in the area, distributing more than a million pounds of food every year to over 3,000 families.

“I was inspired by my mother’s example,” Ames said. “She did charity work and tried to help others and the community. She passed away a couple of years ago, but I felt like I wanted to do something to honor her.”

Highlights of this years festival include a full day and two nights of live music, two car shows, comedy, two guest DJ’s and a vintage fashion show, while the festival promotes and preserves public interest in the culture of the 1950-60’s.

The festival kicks off in the evening of Aug. 18 with a pre-party featuring The Margraves and DJ Roy Kay in the Boom Room, Point Casino’s nightclub beginning at 9 p.m. The event is free to the public.

The following day, Aug. 19, at 10 a.m. Tamika Alston of the Moxies will open the festival with the National Anthem on the outdoor main stage on the casino grounds. Automobile aficionados will enjoy the Pre-’64 Hot Rod car show and the all-comers Collector Car Contest.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the free event will feature live music from The Done Goners (WA), Little Lesley &The Bloodshots (NY), the Crown City Bombers (CA), The Starjays (WA), and Deke Dickerson (LA) at The Points MainStage. Interspersed with the live music there will be entertainment provided by the humor of MC Sylvia O’Stayformore, a vintage fashion show, vintage records spun by DJs Roy Kay and Beck Rustic, raffles, awards and door prizes.

Following the day’s events will be a three band concert featuring Americana sweethearts Wildcat Rose (WA), Doo-Wop all-stars Lil’ Mo &The Dynaflos (Hollywood), and traveling from Sweden, The Go-Getters in the Point Casino Event Center from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Tickets are only $15 in advance and $20 at the door. (All proceeds benefit the various charities.)

Sunday morning, Aug. 20, the festival will conclude with a Poker Run run through Hansville, Kingston, and Port Gamble.

“The hotel is sold out and it’s going to be fantastic,”Ames said.

For more information and a complete festival schedule, visit the festival website at, kustomkulturefestival.com, or the Point Casino at the-point-casino.com. Follow the Kustom Kulture Festival on Facebook @kustomkulturefestival.

— Sophie Bonomi is a reporter with Kitsap News Group. Contact her at sbonomi@soundpublishing.com.