"Giving back to the artists who have put their time and resources into producing these masterpieces is an important part of the Houston Art Car Parade," said Orange Show Center for Visionary Art executive director Lynette Wallace, "Without the creativity and dedication of these exceptional individuals the Houston Art Car Parade would not exist."

Taking this year's top prize, "The Mayor's Cup," which included a hand made trophy from artist Randy Blair and 2000, was Kirk Strawn's oversized, 2:1 scale replica of the VW Baja Bug, Big Red. Crafted out of a 1959 Walter Class 1500 Crash Truck, Big Red is the second in a series of early VW replicas created by Strawn and his collaborative group The Walter Project. Accepting the award in front of a large crowd at the Orange Show Monument, Carol Chamberlain, from Scotsdale, Arizona, thanked the Houston art car artists for welcoming them into their close knit community, and announced that Strawn will be donating 500 of his award back to the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art.

Four first place winners were chosen as "Best Art Car" to receive 1,500 and a handmade trophy courtesy of artist Bob Wink. Welsh artist Andy Hazell, who spent the past 2 weeks in Houston creating his Superman inspired entry "Heroicar" took the prize, as did Brooklyn based printmaker Dennis McNett whose elaborate patterns and drawings covering an old ambulance was a huge crowd pleaser. Also winning the first place award for Best Art Car was Joe Haden's "Tired and Feathered," which he considers his version of a cross between a 1930's Duesenberg and a chicken, as well as Cherie Smith and Sharon Neyland's soda can covered "POPART" car.

Best Performance

First Place 500
The Z Bra Mobile's 13th Birthday and Bar Mitzvah by Amy Lynch Kolflat and The Z Bra Krewe

Second Place
The Cowboy Dave Show by David Gregory

Third Place
Lucha Mobile by Todd Bowers

Best Free Speech

First Place 500
Dove for Love not War by Patrick Renner and the students of Sharpstown International High School

Second Place
The Peace Portraits by Claire Loe, owned by Lindsey Molnari

Third Place
Fusion of Contradiction by Brandi Renee Hammond

Best Painted Car

First Place 500
Map of Space & Time by Rebecca Lowe

Second Place
Strings by Charles Washington

Third Place
Texas Natives by Chris Green

Best Daily Driver Art Car

First Place 1000
Big Banana Car by Steve Braithwaite

Second Place
Simply Charming Dragonfly Car by Stephanie Walton and the students of Northbrook Middle School

Third Place
A Little Bit of Nonsense by Randy Blair

Best Youth Group

First Place 500
Things That Go Bump In The Night by Paloma Garner and the students of Jefferson Davis High School

Second Place
Simply Charming Dragonfly Car by Stephanie Walton and the students of Northbrook Middle School

Third Place
Kaleidoscope Dreams by Mary Reed and the students of Memorial High School

Best Contraption

First Place 500
River Run by George Sacaris
Backyard Staycation by Marlene Iacoviello and Jana Jordan

Second Place
Fire

Ice by Ben Gibson and Nicole Strine

Best Cycle First Place 500
You Wanna Go! by Drew Bettge and the students of Manvel High School

Second Place
The Soul Keeper by Kimberly Bainter

Third Place
Bika a saurus by Koralina Pyor

Best Music

First Place 500
Minor Mishap Marching Band

Second Place
The Last Taco Tango by Last Concert Cafe

Third Place
The Night Train Band