Submitted photo | Bryan Marion
These were some of the entries in last year’s Autumn Leaves Show and Shine car show. Coordinator Bryan Marion says more than 100 participants already are registered.
Submitted photo | Bryan Marion
The band Yesterday Lane performs at the Autumn Leaves Show and Shine Car Show in 2011. The group will return for this year’s event.
Things are in high gear for the annual Autumn Leaves Show and Shine Car, Truck, and Bike Show that will return Oct. 13 to Veterans Memorial Park in Mount Airy.
Show Coordinator Bryan Marion said he has been involved with the event since 2007. He said the show had been a staple event in the area prior to that for at least 20 years under the guidance of the Granite City Street Rods group.
“This show has always had a good turnout,” said Marion. “I wanted to pick up and build on it when I first started with the show. People expect us to have it, and I think it is probably one of the largest car shows in the area.”
Marion said this year’s show already has more than 100 participants registered. He indicated that some years have seen as many as 300 participants in the show.
“It’s a lot to put together,” said Marion. “My family jumps in as well as other volunteers. It takes a lot to put this together every year.”
In addition to providing fun for car enthusiasts, the show raises money to benefit local causes. Marion said it is a tradition to use a portion of the proceeds to benefit local needy families at Christmas. He added that prizes will be given away throughout the day as well as door prizes. Live music will be provided again this year by the group Yesterday Lane. Marion said the group plays a variety of music.
A Top 40 trophy will be given this year as well as awards for Best of Show and best in mini truck, muscle car from 1961-1981, and best muscle car from 1980 to present. Other trophies include best classic car (1949-1960), best street rod (pre-1948), best tuner (1980-present), best bike, best custom bike, best hot rod, best/worst rat rod, best unfinished, long distance award and most unique award.
Notable in the lineup this year will be a 1940 Ford Standard Coupe owned by John and Betsy Bunker Hemmings from Conover. The car was restored as a driver car in 1970 and was restored as a show car in 2010 and 2011. This will mark the first local competition for the car.
It was picked as the best 1940 Standard coupe in the USA by Mike Kubarth, who previously judged the vehicle in two national events. John Hemmings, who grew up in Mount Airy, said the car looks just as it would on the showroom floor in April of 1940. He and his wife took the car for a drive on July 7 to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple dated in the Ford while attending North Surry High School in 1960-62.
The gates are scheduled to open for the show at 8 a.m. and the trophies and awards will be announced at 4 p.m. Spectator parking is free and there is a free shuttle to and from downtown Mount Airy. A variety of vendors will be at the show and their is a charge for preregistration and registration on the day of the show.
There is a charge for admission is $5 for spectators at the gate and children younger than 13 years are admitted free with an adult. Preregistration to enter a car in the show is $10, and it is $15 on the day of the show. For more information, call Marion at 648-1969 or 789-5689.
Reach David Broyles at dbroyles@heartlandpublication.com or 719-1952.
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