Antique Festival Car Show brings generations together
Whether it is the old-time feel of a Model T or the nostalgia of the 1950s, almost every generation of automobile will be represented at the annual Darb Snyder Memorial Antique & Classic Car Show and Parade.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, those attending the annual Holmes County Antique Festival will have a chance to relive the golden years of cars during the annual Darb Snyder Memorial Antique and Classic Car Show and Parade.
In days of yore, before Henry Ford came along and changed the world, people used to travel by train. Railways were a major part of the transportation system, but in the early 1900s the Model T changed everything. Transportation became personalized, and families could travel distances together without sharing their transportation with everyone else.
Then in the 1950s, automobiles became personal to their owners, who pampered them, waxed them to a high shine and gave them a fancy name. Cars like Thunderbirds became a passion for their beauty as much as their ability to get around.
Later cars became more streamlined for better gas mileage. Over the years the purpose and styles of cars have changed dramatically. One thing that has never wavered is how automobiles have been a monumental part of the human race since they were invented.
The event will take place in the Commercial and Savings Bank parking lot located behind the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism building just off of Clay Street in Millersburg. There people can view a host of antiques, classics, muscle cars and even some newer automobiles.
Event coordinator Todd Day said you never know what kinds of models might make an appearance at the event.
“This event has been a big part of the Antique Festival for a long, long time,” Day said of the car show that honors its creator, Darb Snyder. “I think part of the allure is that the car show fits the image of the Antique Festival so well. Baby Boomers in particular kind of grew up with a lot of these cars from the ‘50s and ‘60s, either driving them or wishing they were driving them. We will see a lot of great classic cars from that time period and even cars that are a lot older than that.”
For years the car show took place north of Millersburg, first at Darb Snyder Tires and then later at Snyder Bros. on County Road 623. Several years ago Day wanted to bring it closer to the rest of the activities surrounding the Antique Festival, so the show was brought in to the parking lot at Millersburg Elementary. That helped attendance, but many people still found it inconvenient to have to trudge up the big hill to the school grounds.
Working closely with the Classic Cruisers, a local car show group that also was seeking to bring the car show back into the downtown area, they were able to center the show in the midst of town activity.
Thus last year the event was moved into the parking lots north of the square and right in the heart of the Antique Festival action. That opened the door for families and car connoisseurs to visit the show with ease, which increased traffic to the show.
“We love the idea of bringing it back into the downtown area,” Day said. “That alone has allowed a lot more people to attend the event. It just gives people a lot better opportunity to see all of the great old cars with so much ease.”
Loaded with everything from top Model T classics from the 1950s and ‘60s, muscle cars from the 1970s, and even cars from the 1980s that have now become classics, Day said some people will bring in even newer cars just because they like to show them off and love the atmosphere.
“People love to see the really old cars because you don’t get that opportunity all that much,” Day said. “But just being around the show and listening to these guys talk about their cars is so much fun.”
There is no preregistration for those wanting to bring a car to the show. All they need to do is register the day of the event from noon to 3 p.m. at the lots on Clay Street. Signs will be posted, and registration is by donation. All vehicles will receive a commemorative plaque, and refreshments will be available.
Deadline for judging and for the parade will be cut off at 3:30 p.m. with the Classic Car and Fireman’s Parade beginning at 4:30 p.m. for those who would like to enter their cars for that activity. Antique automobiles also are invited to join the grand parade on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. Registration for that event will be available Saturday, Oct. 5.
First-, second- and third-place trophies will be awarded in Antiques, Classics and Special Interest categories. Awards also will be presented for the Best 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s models. In addition awards will be presented to the Best Mopar, Ford and GM, Hot Rod, Sports Car, and Truck categories. There also will be special awards for the furthest traveled and the Darb Snyder Best of Show award. The event is sponsored by Chuck Nicholson Auto SuperStore.
For questions call Day at 330-763-0472 or email todd.day56@gmail.com.