Car Show Wows ‘Em in Owego

By Eric Hrin, The Daily Review, Towanda, Pa.

Jul. 13–OWEGO, N.Y. — The hood of a red Stingray, looking like a tongue, was propped open as if it were saying aaa-hhh.

As people gathered around, a man started the car up, its motor coming alive. Everywhere, rows of other cars sat on the green lawn of Hickories Park in Owego, N.Y., Saturday for the first day of “Cars in the Park,” put on by Triple Cities Street Rods of Binghamton, Johnson City and Endicott, N.Y.

Ed Gillette of Endicott, N.Y. was impressed. “I think it’s great,” he said. He didn’t have a favorite car. “I like them all, really.” Gillette said he had an Olds 442 from 1986 at the show.

Vendors were also on the green, some selling food as oldies music drifted through the air, invoking the sounds of yesterday.

“Stop in the name of love … before you break my heart … think it o-o-ver…”

Another wave of nostalgia broke. “Take good care of my baby … now don’t you ever make her cry. …”

And it was clear that these car owners were taking good care of their babies. The cars’ chrome glistened and their paint — reds, greens, blues, even purples — sparkled in the sun.

Butch Ayers from Rome, the president of the organization, said 70 vehicles were there. These included antique cars, street rods, muscle cars and even some motorcycles.

The event benefits local charities, including some in northeastern Pennsylvania. He said the organization is a “good outfit. It’s a lot of fun. It’s all about families.”

In addition to helping charities, the group assists individuals in need and also aids students. Ayers said tools have been given to top mechanics students at schools in New York and Pennsylvania, including here in Bradford County.

Saturday’s events included children’s activities, a 50/50 drawing, a Poker Fun Run and a Sock Hop with Ricky and the Blue Shadows. There was even a teeter-totter competition and balloon toss for all ages included in the schedule.

“We call this our fun day,” he said. “We do things with the children.”

The event continues today — it’s called “Show and Shine Day” — with an awards presentation at 3 p.m. Ayers said the participants judge each other.

“They get to judge on each other’s cars and we give trophies and plaques away.”

Todd Warner from Campville, N.Y., attended Saturday. “It’s a nice show,” he said.

Here are some of the events on today’s schedule:

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Chinese Auction

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Teeter-Totter Competition

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Children’s Activities

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Ross Park Zoomobile

1:30 p.m. — Children’s Awards

2 p.m. — Teeter-Totter Finals

2:30 p.m. — 50/50 Drawing

3 p.m. — Awards Presentation and Grand Prize Give-Away

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; e-mail: [email protected]

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