By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Although Tropical Depression 5 threatened to unleash a downpour over the weekend, members of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church of LaPlace relied on faith and held their first King of the Parking Lot Motor Bike and Car Show.

Their efforts paid off. By late afternoon, the sun had peeked from behind the clouds, making the abundance of chrome below sparkle.

The Rev. Freddie Howard, pastor, and his wife, Sherry Howard, devised the event as a way to raise money for the church. But while the weather ended up cooperating, Mrs. Howard thought the forecasts kept many people away.

“The weather kind of messed it up,” she said. “We’re going to try again next year.”

Still, a number of people paid the $25 registration fee to enter their vehicles into the competition while a smattering of booths peddled hot food and cold drinks.

And at the end of the day — the event lasted from noon to 8 p.m. — the judges had crowned their kings.

The winners included:

• Randall Brown and his 1970 Oldsmobile 442.

• Shannon Duhe and his Stinger II motorcycle.

• Frank Robinson and his airbrushes 2004 Monte Carlo.

• Danny Baloney and his 2005 Chevrolet Corvette.