Benefit Car Show Saturday brings vintage automobiles, nostalgia to town

The Current River Cruisers Car Club has been around for decades, but officially organized in about 1976, according to longtime member and current Club President Carl Smith.

Smith said in the early days of the club, car shows also were held at the Salem City Park, the Salem High School parking lot and other locations in the community.

The club also hosts monthly cruise-ins beginning about 6 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month on the Grace Community Church parking lot.

Smith said the annual car show is a fun day for all automobile enthusiasts to get together to visit and reminisce about their rigs and put them on display for everyone to enjoy.

"We've had anywhere from 40 to more than 100 vehicles at the annual show," Smith said. "Weather has a lot to do with turnout, but it's usually a huge show with spectacular vintage vehicles from all over."

The local club has more than 30 active members, but members only display their vehicles at the annual show and are not entered for judging. Judging is done by out-of-town Mid America Association Car Club judges and is calculated on the 100-points system.

"Club member's vehicles are displayed on the west side of Hwy. 19 and not included in the judging to keep it fair and impartial," Smith said. "Entries for judging will be displayed on other streets surrounding the courthouse square."

Vehicle owners will be working feverishly to get their vintage automobiles in top show appearance.

Longtime club members Lyle and Annabelle Hutchens will display their prize 1956 Ford Fairlane. Lyle, a noted vintage automobile restoration specialist, has been giving the couple's first acquired Fairlane a fresh paint job, sanding and buffing during the past week in preparation for the annual show.

They bought the car new in 1956 in Assumption, Ill. The mandarin orange Fairlane is one of their favorites in their vintage collection, which they consider an investment and a retirement nest egg.

"I'll have it ready for display during the annual car show June 18, and we'll probably drive another one in to also display."

During the annual car show, 1985 and newer vehicles will be judged separately and will be awarded three trophies. They will not be eligible for the Best of Show Award.

The day begins at 8 a.m. and judging starts at noon. There is a registration fee and it includes a goody bag with a dash plate and T-shirt to the first 50 entries.

This year a camping equipment package is also being raffled and will be awarded during the show.

The event also includes games, lots of food and fun for all ages. The club will have hamburgers, hotdogs and pork steaks and trimmings available as part of the fundraising effort.

Last year the show raised $500 for the ACS and $500 for St. Jude Children's Hospital and the club also donated to the Backpack program that provides weekend meals for local school children.

For more information about the car show or club membership, contact Smith at 729-7883, vice president Butch White at 729-8391, secretary Chris Raulston at 729-4855, chaplain Gary Cook or treasurer Mary Jo Cook at 729-7859.