It wasn’t so much a surge as it was a constant flow, as motorcycles, cars, trucks and people flowed into Antioch’s Straw Hat Pizza last weekend in support of combat veterans.

“I was worried about not having enough cars and bikes in the show, wondering if people would come,” said organizer Josie Monaghan of East County Military Families and Friends. “I was so elated the whole day, watching car after car with groups of people fall in line. Everything ran as smooth as can be and the atmosphere was delightful.”

The event was part of an effort to raise $10,000 for a Veterans Peer to Peer Resource recreation center, run for and by veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Members of the Warriors Watch Riders and Blue Star Families helped put on the event, which included a bake sale, raffle, music from DJ Mo and live entertainment by Strumming Veterans. Straw Hat owner Sal Listek donated a portion of his store’s proceeds for the day to the cause as well.

In the car and bike show, top honors – the People’s Choice Award – went to Denise Aragon and her 2010 Camaro, purchased in memory of her son Sgt. John D. Aragon, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2008. Mayor Jim Davis’ award went to James and Lucy Sanchez’s 950 Cadillac Coupe de Ville. The Best Bike trophy was awarded to Ron Baciwalupa and his 2009 Harley Davidson Street Glide.

In the Veterans/First Responders categories (judged by Antioch’s Chief of Police Jim Hyde, retired Alameda County Sheriff Dennis Jeglum and Veteran of OIF Brian Rodriguez) awards went to Will and Sue Fraser for their 1931 Ford Model A pickup, and Ernie Ameral for his 2003 Chevy Silverado Truck.

Best Bike in that category were David Wahl and his 2005 Harley Davidson Soft Tail, and Bill Putman’s 2005 Honda Rune.