The annual Rat Fink Reunion will be held Thursday through Saturday, June 4, 5 and 6, at 404 East 30 North, Manti. Artists, banana splits, parades, shopping, car show, live music, BBQ, what more could you ask for?

Big Daddy Roth is a legend in the world of hot rodding, and one of the founders of Kustom Kulture. He is best known for his incredible work creating one-of-a-kind hot rods and for the creation of Rat Fink, that little green rat that epitomizes the world of rodding.

With the passing of Roth in 2001, the world lost a wonderfully unique and creative genius, while many people lost a good friend and mentor. The world will never see his like again.

He left the responsibility to continue his legacy in the hands of those he trusted most, his wife. Ilene Roth carries on the legacy of Ed Roth to this day.

What is the Rat Fink Reunion?

It certainly sounds interesting and intriguing, doesn’t it? With a name like the Rat Fink Reunion, it has to be interesting.

The Rat Fink Reunion centers on the creations of Roth, who is a legend in hot rodding circles and is known for creating unique one-of-a-kind hot rods that are considered both works of art and works of pure genius. Most people have never seen cars like the kind created by Big Daddy Roth.

Rat Fink, the world of rodding

So where does the Rat Fink part come in? The world of Rat Fink is also an impressively creative and unique one. Rat Fink is defined as being the “little green rat that epitomizes the world of rodding.”

This rat is far removed from Mickey Mouse and adorns a wide range of items including T-shirts, toys, posters, pillows, toy models from Revell, decals, books and comic books and even Rat Fink Bikes by Electra.

The Rat Fink Reunion is an annual event now in its 13th year. During this “all things Rat Fink” event, participants are able to meet Rat Fink artists, tour the Rat Fink Museum, watch pinewood derby races, participate in the Rat Fink 5K Fun Run, watch live musical performances, have lunch and dinner with Rat Fink artists and event attendees, attend a Rat Fink car show and much more.

Who will love this event?

If a person loves music and art, they’ll certainly get their fill of great live performance and amazing art that can’t be seen anywhere else. Plus, with the Rat Fink store and Rat Fink Museum open during the reunion, visitors can certainly walk away with a ton of awesome memorabilia.

Dozens of Rat Fink artists help infuse the Rat Fink Reunion with a unique level of energy, creativity and fun. There is certainly no other event that brings so many Rat Fink fans together to share their common interest.

Those interested in anything Rat Fink will find that the Rat Fink Reunion is a must. Additionally, all hot rod fans will find the Rat Fink Reunion to be a wild ride. The genius, who sparked it all, Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, may have died in 2001, but his work and the festive and unique culture he birthed continues to live on.

The Rat Fink Reunion is a tribute not just too all things Rat Fink but, of course, to Roth as well. Those who attend will want to check out the hot rods and Roth’s innovative work firsthand.

History of Hot Rods in the U.S.

Just say the words “hot rods” and people’s pulses begin to race. Hot rods are about more than speed, however, as they are also about a distinctive look, a mindset and a culture. Rodding is and has always been a complex, wild and fun movement and that fact continues into the 21st century. America’s love with cars is interwoven with the history and love of hot rods.

Early days of hot rods

During the 30s and 40s, the term “hot rod” was often used as a way to describe any car that had been modified in some fashion to boost overall performance. These performance boosts often centered on improving engine performance.

Why the term hot rod? No one is completely sure, but now the term certainly is part of the American lexicon. The first period of “rodding” was from the late 1930s-50s. A common modification during this time was to reduce vehicle weight in order to boost a car’s speed.

This led to a variety of ingenious modifications such as the removal of hoods, bumpers, fenders, tops and even windshields all in an effort to both boost speed and create a distinctive look. Part of cultivating this distinctive look was the incorporation of wild and impressive paint jobs. Flames were and still are a popular option on hot rods.

Post-war years

After World War II, many returning soldiers had acquired impressive mechanical skills during the war. These soldiers got to work creating a new generation of impressive hot rods. During the 1950s, rodding and hot rods gained considerably in popularity.

Hot rods are still alive, well and thriving. Around the world, hot rods are still built, often using original parts found off the Internet or taken from salvage. Now the world of rodding is divided between those who build hot rods from original parts, the hot rodders and those who build hot rods using mostly or all new parts, the street rodders.

Hot rods are a work of art. Just as American’s love affair with the automobile continues, it is all but certain that the American love affair with rodding will also speed along far into the 21st century.