The annual Port Fairy Rod Run will take place and today we look at what makes this one of the most important events on region's calendar.

When it comes to longevity, the Port Fairy Rod Run has most events covered.

The event is ran by the South West Street Rodders group, with this to be its 38^th staging.

South West Street Rooders social events coordinator Jack Arnel said his group was passionate about the rod run.

"South West Street Rodders is based in Hamilton, but we have members in Port Fairy, Portland, Colac and all around the region," Mr Arnel said.

"The Port Fairy Rod Run is our biggest weekend of the year, it's our annual show and we put a lot of time into it.

"We will have about 150 vehicles from our group members in town over the weekend and we are expecting up to 400 vehicles for the show and shine on Sunday at Southcombe Park."

Port Fairy residents and visitors to the town will this weekend have plenty of opportunities to see up close cars of all makes and models.

Members of the South West Street Rodders will take part in a cruise around the Port Fairy CBD on Saturday evening from 6-10pm.

Mr Arnel said while this would provide entertainment for those looking on, it was also a highlight for those taking part.

"We love getting out there and cutting laps and showing off our cars," he said.

"It's a really enjoyable evening and the cruise night is a great way for people to see the cars and for us to do what we love."

The Saturday night will also include live music on Fiddler's Green.

Like many successful events, the Port Fairy Rod Run has evolved since beginning almost four decades ago.

The weekend used to include a cruise around the district, including stopovers in places like Killarney and Koroit.

The then Tower Hill Football Club ground at Killarney was in fact used as the lunchtime stopover for the first ever rod run, as shown in the historic photograph on this page.

The other old photograph is when the rod run was held at Gardens Oval.

"I'm not sure what year this was," Mr Arnel said.

"Gardens Oval was tried as a venue but it turned out Southcombe Park was more suitable."

While the group is not based in the town, South West Street Rodders and Port Fairy have struck a partnership that benefits both.

The Port Fairy Rod Run is regarded as one of the biggest events on the town's calendar while Southcombe Park is seen by organisers as the ideal venue.

"We have had feedback from some businesses in Port Fairy and they tell us the Sunday is their biggest day of trade outside of the folk festival," Mr Arnel said.

"It's great we can have that positive impact on the town because Port Fairy is the perfect fit for us. Southcombe Park is a great space in the centre of town and with so many visitors enjoying summer in Port Fairy it makes for a ready-made audience."

The South West Street Rodders group is made up of car lovers who meet a certain criteria with their vehicles.

Mr Arnel said each of the cars from club members on show on the weekend would have been built from 1927 to 1978.

"For the show and shine, which is open to the public to bring their cars to on Sunday, it is more relaxed," he said.

"There can be cars from the 1990s, as long as they are interesting and a bit out of the ordinary. People bring out their muscle cars and vintage cars, it is a good way to show off their cars."