VISTA -- Gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles may be declining in popularity, but judging by the number of visitors at Vista Rod Run, fuel-sucking hot rods, especially supercharged, dual-carburetor models, are apparently still very much in vogue.

Nearly 300 vehicles were registered for Sunday's show in in the heart of downtown Vista, along Main Street and east of the Vista Village shopping center, up from just under 200 last year.

Attendance was also up significantly.

Ken and Martha Kaya of Oceanside had their royal blue Chevrolet-powered '32 Ford roadster on display near the Avo Playhouse. The couple frequently participates in car shows throughout Southern California, and Ken Kaya said it seemed like attendance at this year's Vista Rod Run doubled from last year.

"This show just keeps growing and growing, and I know there are almost a hundred more cars here today than there was last year," he said. "There must be twice as many people here today than there was last year -- at least twice."

Vista resident Karl Ramsing had his 1929 Packard on display Sunday, the first time the car has been in the Vista Rod Run.

Ramsing attends the event yearly, and he said the show reflects the growth that city officials had hoped for with downtown events.

"You can't deny that this show is growing by leaps and bounds. It's bigger than last year and much bigger than it was two years ago," Ramsing said as he polished the chrome on his vintage convertible coupe. "That's what the city fathers wanted when they developed this area. I can see where it's paying off because you can see that this show is drawing more people every year. And other businesses are benefiting from the development of the Townsite district."

Martha Kaya said the Vista Rod Run has become so popular because it is more than just a car show.

"Most of the people here today are car people, but there are a lot of families here today -- this is a great family event. You don't have to be a car buff to enjoy this show," she said. "Because this is in Vista, it's near to just about anywhere in the North County. It saves a lot of gas to come here to this show."

At the center of the event, in front of the Avo Playhouse, Oceanside resident Ken Gammie stopped to check out the detailed engine compartment of a '32 Ford roadster.

Gammie said interest in the Vista Rod Run has continued to grow over the past few years because it caters to families and allows only high-quality cars to enter.

"I'd have to rate this as the top car show in the North County," said Gammie. "The others are good shows, but this one truly is a family-friendly event, and they don't let just any car in here. Most of the cars here today are show cars -- they're not driven on the street every day. That in itself makes this a better show.

"But the best thing about the Vista Rod Run is that it's free, and that means the whole family can enjoy this show."

CORRECTION: Rod Run site described incorrectly

VISTA -- A story about the annual Vista Rod Run that appeared in Monday's North County Times incorrectly described the area where the event was held. The Rod Run was held in the heart of downtown Vista, along Main Street, east of the Vista Village shopping center.