by Tim Beeman

Photos courtesy of Miramar Productions.

April 2011 — It’s time to get revved up for “The Coolest Show on Earth” and, while having some serious fun, benefit a great cause in need of your support — the Coastside Adult Day Health Center. Whimsical, fascinating, amusing, educational, curious and unique are a few words that describe the Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show, Half Moon Bay’s massive annual celebration of mechanical ingenuity, power and style.

What’s coming? World-class cars of every era and style, Model T fire engines, vintage buses, custom motorcycles, tricked-out trucks, sleek streamliners, one-of-a-kind antique engines and tractors, and historic military aircraft will be among the mesmerizing displays. This year’s spectacular 21st annual show takes place on Sunday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Half Moon Bay Airport.

Headline attractions scheduled to appear include:

• The intimidating, super-powerful U.S. Army Nike Hercules long-range missile, making a once-in-a-lifetime off-site public appearance.

• The Northrop-produced aviation design wonder “Flying Wing,” a long-range bomber with two wings and no fuselage.

• Three electrifying 4-rider dual ramp freestyle motocross shows.

• The world’s fastest and loudest jet-powered bike and myriad speed machines in World Record Wonderland.

• A special display of magnificent military aircraft including the Estrella Warbird Museum’s historic Douglas C-47 (regarded as the World’s greatest aircraft of its time), P-51 Mustangs (America’s premier World War II fighter), Yak Russian fighters and an exceptional array of military fighters and trainers.

• A special “Green Machines” display of advanced technology/clean fuel vehicles.

• Mad scientist Jack Schroll’s “El Diablo” — a spectacular and menacing jet-powered flame effects device designed for Burning Man.

• Ace aerobatics pilot Eddie Andreini doing fly-overs in his Stearman bi-plane and Russian fighter.

• The inimitable Blastolene Brothers extreme, mega-modified machines.

• Spine-tingling rides in a historic P-51 Mustang and T-6 military trainer.

• The titanic, hard-to-fathom, gasp-inducing world’s largest monster-cycle — named “Dream Big,” the custom-built motorcycle weighs 6,500 pounds and is 11 feet tall and 20 feet long, with 10-foot handlebars and 3-foot-wide tires.

• Thrilling monster truck rides and, for the first time, go-kart rides.

Proud owners show up in cars that come in all shapes, colors and sizes. Spectators will get a rare up-close look at antique horseless carriages and Ford Model T’s, fanciful touring and luxury cars, powerful sports cars, custom cars and street rods, muscle cars, vintage and modern era high-performance race cars, quirky art and pedal cars, modified street machines with cutting-edge styles, exotic high-performance cars, stylish European cars, ultra cool low-riders, sporty compacts, modified imports with flashy graphics, fashionable hip-hop urban show cars, home-built kit cars, super-charged turbo cars and trucks, “green” technology/alternative fuel vehicles, streamliners, dragsters, funny cars, gassers and jet cars.

Hundreds of aviation wonders are expected to be on display: stylish homebuilts, classics from the 40s and 50s, exceptional vintage warbirds, and sport and ultralight aircraft. Many will be doing exciting fly-overs during the show. Thrilling rides will be offered in everything from helicopters and vintage bi-planes to a T-6 military trainer and P-51 mustang; rides range from $40-$600.

Spectator admission is $20 for adults, $10 for ages 11-17 and 65+, and free for kids age 10 and under. Tickets are available at the gate only. Half Moon Bay Airport, at 9850 N. Cabrillo Highway, is located on Highway 1, about 20 miles south of San Francisco and five miles north of Highway 92. For information, call 650-726-2328 or check out the event’s website.