by Colette M. Armijo Miss Run to Raton 2017 was Jenny Baca Mills, who is a Raton High School graduate of 1995. She currently lives in Los Alamos and works in Espanola as a clinical pharmacist. Not just another pretty face, either, because she also brought the 1965 Mustang (Red Ruby) to the show. She loved Run to Raton and is eager for next year! Other winners were: 1st Runner Up – Jen Bayliss Kuiper, Second Runner Up – TieAnn Angeli, “Hometown Honey” -Elena Flores and “Bad Girl’ July Hunnicutt. Photo by Jean Harris.RATON — Bikes, cars, pretty girls, great eats and live entertainment all came together for three (3) days of family friendly fun. On Friday, July 21, the roar of shiny bikes with out of state plates rolling into Raton had the whole town buzzing with excitement. Approximately one year ago, Neal Crawley, JP Rodman, Laurie Bunker, Jason Bennett and Jessica Barfield put their heads together and their individual expertise to come up with this spectacular event. After six months of intense planning, the first Run to Raton was born. Run to Raton is an action-packed fusion of bike rally, classic car show and Miss Run to Raton PinUp contest which peaked the interest of locals and visitors from near and far. JP Rodman attracted approximately 200 bikers for a three day hot rod build and an opportunity to take a chance in the raffle to win a custom trike built by Rodman and Jim Harper. (see photo below right) Whilst the rain thwarted the build, Zach Sells from Fort Collins, CO was the winner of the raffle which was drawn Saturday night. Ratonians were delighted to rub shoulders with InkMasters TV celebrity Oliver Peck who visited to enjoy the weekend’s festivities. On Saturday morning, from as early as 8 am, classic cars both modified and original, cruised to their show spots on Historic First Street in downtown Raton. Some 48 cars were registered and it was evident that they were the pride and joy of their owners. The vintage vehicles parked in front of restored and preserved historical buildings were quite a sight to behold. Though most of the participants registered for the fun of it, they had the chance of winning tickets to the blues festival in Trinidad, tickets to the ice arena, a one night stay at Ohkay Casino (sponsored by KCRT Trinidad) and a gift certificate from Cunico Tire. At high noon, registration for the Miss Run to Raton Pinup contest was closed ensuring that 17 ladies, all dressed in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s inspired attire, were ready to vie for the coveted crown, or rather, the tiara. Not only did they have to look the part, but the contestants were also interviewed on stage and required to interact with the crowd in true pinup girl style. Many Raton businesses sponsored this portion of the event and there was no shortage of gift certificates and prizes for the daring participants to win. The judges had quite a task judging the bevy of beauties but after deliberation, Jenny Baca Miller was declared Miss Run to Raton PinUp Girl 2017.