Before it became a staple on Tempe’s event calendar, Catch A Wave Car Show started with a simple idea and a “no.”
When a local Chevrolet club proposed shutting down Mill Avenue for a car show, the request was denied. Instead of letting the idea fade, the Kiwanis Club of Tempe Nuevo stepped in, securing Kiwanis Park and creating something entirely their own. What began as a workaround has since grown into one of the East Valley’s most anticipated gatherings of automotive culture.
At the center of it all is legacy. The show was led for over two decades by Dick Caley, whose vision and commitment shaped it into what it is today. Now, that same passion continues through his son, Sam Caley, carrying it forward as Co-Chairman and current President of the Nuevo club.
But this isn’t just a car show.
Yes, the field is lined with everything from early 1900s vintage vehicles to modern muscle and exotic cars, machines that collectively can reach well into the millions. But the real draw is not just what’s parked on the grass. It is the people.
There’s a rhythm to the day. Stories shared between strangers. Memories sparked by a familiar model. Conversations that stretch longer than expected. For many, it feels less like an event and more like a reunion. A one-day gathering where generations connect through something tangible.
And behind it all is purpose.
Participation, whether from car owners or Kiwanis members, is rooted in something deeper: a shared commitment to giving back. Every detail, every volunteer hour, every rev of an engine supports the Kiwanis Club’s mission to serve the community.
For decades, the club has partnered with Thew Elementary School, building relationships with students and staff that date back to 1976 and extend far beyond the classroom. Their impact continues through annual scholarship awards for local students, recognizing character and citizenship, with grants that can exceed $2,000 for graduating middle schoolers taking their next step forward.
It is leadership in action. High school Key Club members work alongside longtime volunteers, learning what it means to show up for their community and be part of something bigger than themselves.
Catch A Wave isn’t about nostalgia alone. It is about continuity. About honoring where we’ve been, while investing in what’s next.
And for one day each year, it all comes together right here in Tempe.
Every detail, every volunteer hour, every rev of an engine supports the mission.