Cruise on in to Bolivar Car Show July 22
From Mustangs to Corvettes and everything in between, the Bolivar Canal Street Cruise-In Car Show expects to draw more than 100 cars this year.
If you hear the word porcupine and think of a Chevy engine instead of the animal, the Bolivar Canal Street Cruise-In Antique Car and Bike Show should be right up your alley.
Last year, after having to reschedule the event due to rain, the event drew approximately 125 cars, according to Justin Wallace, chairperson for the show. Wallace, owner of the Wallace & Associates insurance agency in Bolivar, also is a member of the Bolivar Main Street Association, which sponsors the annual show.
“This is a great opportunity for car owners who take pride in their vehicles to showcase them,” Wallace said. “It’s also a great opportunity for people to come see the cars and support local businesses in Bolivar. Downtown Bolivar seems to be growing faster than it ever has since I’ve started doing business here, so there are a lot of new businesses to check out.”
The car show will take place July 22 from 5-8 p.m. with registration beginning at 4 p.m. Registration is $10 per car, but spectators can take in the show for free.
During the show, DJ Spikeman will spin hits of the ‘60s and ‘70s.
“Spikeman has quite a following, so he is definitely a pull for the car show,” Wallace said. “He will be working a car show in Strasburg right before ours that day, so we hope to attract some of that show’s attendees to ours.”
All makes and models of cars and bikes are welcome to show off their vehicles. Commemorative dash plaques will be given to the first 75 cars registering, an increase from years past when only the first 50 received them.
Wallace said a panel of judges will select the top 25 cars to receive trophies. A People’s Choice winner also will be recognized, and one car will be selected by Bolivar Mayor Tedd Finlayson to receive the Mayor’s Choice trophy.
Proceeds from the car show will benefit the Bolivar Main Street Association, which also sponsors the Bolivar Strawberry Festival and Christmas on the Canal. Wallace said funds from this year’s show will go toward completing repairs to the deck at the Santa House and making electricity improvements for the Strawberry Festival.
Lions Club chicken barbecue
During the show, the Bolivar Lions Club will again hold its chicken barbecue at the corner of Water and Canal streets. Dinners, which include half a chicken, corn on the cob, a dinner roll and bottled water, can be purchased from 4-7 p.m. or until sold out.
The annual barbecue is a fundraiser for the club that supports a number of sight-related projects and community events.
“We give eye exams to children entering grade school, and we pay for eye exams done by doctors for children whose families can’t afford it,” said Brad Wharmby, secretary for the Bolivar Lions Club. “We also help out other organizations such as the Tusky Valley Speech Team, and we recently purchased some items the Bolivar Library needed.”
Wharmby said the club tries to balance out what they give locally and to other endeavors that are sight-related such as diabetes research and organizations that provide guide dogs.
The Bolivar Lions Club also awards a college scholarship to a Tusky Valley graduating senior each year.
Donations of used eyeglasses can be dropped off at the Town & Country Veterinarian Clinic in Bolivar. The glasses are sent out for recycling and distribution to people in need around the world.
Presale tickets are available for $15 by calling Wharmby at 330-575-7325 or Ed Willsat 330-575-4766. Tickets that day are $18.