Car show draws crowd to town

In spite of a rainy day, classic cars filled the Mariner?s Mall parking lot Saturday in the Second Annual Nauti Kruzers Cabin Fever Car Show. According to organizer Jim McMurray, things went well at the event. ?It was really a great show, in my opinion, they enjoyed it. We had some very excellent goodie bags that were passed out,? McMurray said.

People?s choice awards were given to the best of show, as voted by spectators. A classic 1969 Ford Mustang, owned by Charles Sehavut of Hillman, took top honors in the voting. Second was a 1930 Ford Model A owned by Steven Robbins of Onaway and third place went to a 1956 Chevy Bel Air owned by Barry Rabe of Lewiston. Fourth place was a 1934 Ford owned by Roger Hess of Luzerne and fifth in the people?s choice category went to a 1929 Ford Woody owned by Conrad Madej of Onaway. Best of show winner was a 1957 Chevy BelAir owned by George Crooker of Indian River, who also won the City Manager?s Award.

?The Best of Show winner was an outstanding Chevrolet, and I mean really outstanding,? McMurray said.

The Mayor?s Choice Award went to Rabe?s 1956 Chevy Bel Air, which was an all original, McMurray said.

McMurray said there were 63 entries, but the local club members were not eligible to win any of the prizes.

?We had one fellow who drove up his 2002 Ford Thunderbird from Manchester. It was his retirement car. It may be a newer car, but he loves it just as much as any classic antique,? McMurray said. That was the furthest anyone came to be in the show. Other cars came from Alpena, Oscoda, Onaway, Hillman, Cheboygan and Rogers City. McMurray has participated in many car shows and is currently the owner of a 1956 Mercury two-door hardtop. He recently sold a 1930 Ford Sedan Street rod. His first car was a 1934 Mercedes replica, fueled by his days working on race days at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn as a flagman and fireman. He started coming to the area to participate in the salmon tournament and moved to the area in 2000.

Organizers planned for an overflow crowd by taking measures to block off Erie Street, between Second and Third Streets, if necessary. ?We were going to fill up the mall parking lot and use the side streets, with permission of the city,? McMurray said. Although fe

wer than hoped for vehicles turned out on a rainy, chilly day, McMurray said the show was successful. ?It let people know we are on the map and I?m certain it helped some of the businesses around. I saw people going out shopping,? McMurray said. Other members of the committee included Bill and Barb VanSteenis, who were the main sponsors, Ivan and Rose Buck, Dennis and Nancy O?Reilly, Larry and Ann Beach, John and Dorothy Keiffer, Terry Haviland, Paul and Nick LeVeck, Ken Leppert, and Larry Wynn. More members are always welcome to join. The group goes to other shows including an upcoming event May 30 in Hillman.

?We hope to make the third annual car show every bit as good as this one,? McMurray said. Next year?s event will be scheduled again for mid-May, although no date has been set.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.