Bolivar Car Show to feature new awards in its 20th year
Organizers expect the Bolivar Car Show on July 20 to attract upward of 150 classic cars, trucks and motorcycles.
Organizers of the 20th annual Bolivar Antique Car and Bike Show, which will take place Saturday, July 20 from 5-8 p.m., have some new awards to hand out this year. A chat with Justin Wallace, one of the show’s organizers, revealed that for the first time, the show will recognize the top three Jeep entries in addition to the traditional top 25 cars.
“Rumor has it that a Jeep club or two plan to attend, so we added the awards to recognize that and encourage more Jeep entries,” Wallace said.
Also new is the Queen’s Choice award, which will be given by the Strawberry Festival queen each year. The 2024 queen is former Mayor Rebecca Hubble.
“From my understanding she is going to have a pretty fancy trophy, that she is picking it out herself,” Wallace said.
The show, which is sponsored by the Bolivar Main Street Association, also will give awards to the top three motorcycle entries, along with a People’s Choice and a Mayor’s Award chosen by Bolivar Mayor Robert Lloyd. Commemorative dash plaques will be given to the first 75 vehicles to register.
The show, which welcomes all makes and models, is free for spectators. The entry fee for vehicles is $10 with registration beginning at 4 p.m.
Proceeds from the car show benefit BMSA and are used to fund community projects and events such as the Bolivar Strawberry Festival and Christmas on the Canal.
Lions Club chicken barbecue
As is the tradition with this show, the Bolivar Lions Club will cook chicken dinners during the show from registration time at 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dinners are $18 or $15 in advance and include half a chicken, corn on the cob, a dinner roll and a bottle of water.
The annual barbecue is a fundraiser for the club and helps fund its support of a number of sight-related projects and community projects.
DJ Spikeman
In keeping with tradition, DJ Spikeman will spin hits of the ‘60s and ‘70s while spectators check out the cars and converse with the owners.
“Spikeman has quite a following, so he definitely attracts a crowd,” Wallace said. “He will be working at the Strasburg Lions Club car show right before ours, so hopefully we will get some of their attendees at our show.”
There also will be a car show at the Beach City Summer Bash, which will end at 4 p.m. that day, and Wallace hopes to pick up some of those cars and spectators as well.
Door prizes
Door prizes, which include merchandise and gift cards from a number of local merchants, will be awarded throughout the show.
“We’ve also put together some buckets filled with car wash and wax products so drivers can keep their cars sparkling and shiny,” Wallace said.
Visit the Bolivar Main Street Association Facebook page. To pre-order chicken dinners from the Bolivar Lions Club, call Brad Wharmby at 330-575-7325.