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At the Hop! (L to R) Gary Nasalroad, Gina Marquez and John Marquez were having fun at Saturday’s “Flying 1950’s Sock Hop” picking out accessories for the photo booth. Later Gary and Gina were selected Best Dance Team for their American Bandstand type moves. Photo by Victoria Kelly |
Aviation Museum of SP: Supporters
rock around the clock at Sock Hop
May 22, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Guests were rockin’ around the clock at Saturday’s Aviation Museum of Santa Paula’s “Flying 50’s Sock Hop” where poodle skirts and pompadours dominated the scene at the airport.
Many couples showed they were “going steady” by the class rings worn on chains around the necks of women guests while some leather jacket wearing bad boys—including one that was a hilarious she—hung out with Pink Ladies wearing shimmering baseball jackets.
Bruce Dickenson was showing off his homebuilt Howard DGA-21 a.k.a. “Mr. Dickenson” one of four that was displayed and then fired up for a takeoff demonstration. Dickenson’s plane later was awarded Best Airplane, which only made a ride more valuable when Mitch Stone auctioned it off later in the evening.
Dickenson was in charge of welcoming the crowd—that included City Councilwoman Ginger Gherardi and Police Chief Steve McLean—to the party.
Dickenson noted, “By being here you’re showing your support of the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula and we thank you…and we want you to come see us on our First Sundays,” for the Airport Open House and tours of the String of Hangars.
Sock Hop Chairman Scott Bateman and his wife Sharon were the ultimate 1950’s couple; the already tall Bateman’s pompadour made him tower over other guests—so impressive was his outfit that he won Best Male Costume in spite of the fact that he had cautioned judges against voting for him—and Sharon couldn’t stay off the dance floor when she was making announcements. Laurie Trow won Best Female Costume for her deceptively demure sweet 16 look.
Santa Paula Fire was on hand with a display staged for a quick response if needed and firefighters were kept busy answering questions about public safety.
There was a barbecue dinner, a photo booth, raffle items and plenty of music for dancing: Gary Nasalroad and Gina Marquez won Best Dance Team after they made all the right moves to the music of Frank Barajas & The Corsican Brothers.
Nancy Nasalroad wore her husband Gary’s high school ring on a chain around her neck, sheer head scarf around her neck, a flowered cardigan and had a vintage charm bracelet, a must have 1950s accessory also worn by Judy Triem, who proudly showed off a charm that opened up and out popped a devil. Gary was proudly sporting his Santa Paula High School Lettermen’s sweater and a 50’s fedora.
Nancy showed off her black and white saddle shoes and noted, “I found them in a thrift store!”
Judy McCarthy could have won a prize for her rhinestone cat’s eye glasses but it probably would have been a tie if Aviation Museum President Judy Phelps had been in the competition.
“This is great isn’t it?” noted Phelps from behind her 50’s fashionable glasses as she greeted guests with Janice Dickenson, a dog lover whose poodle skirt seemed ready to swing. Sally Knight wasn’t wearing eyeglasses but her costume and custom, oversized hair bow got rave reviews.
Everyone there had a jive vibe for not only having a good, nostalgic time but also to raise money for the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula.
For more information about the museum visit www.aviationmuseumofsantapaula.org/
