Cars by the Creek an exciting event

Published 3:19 pm Monday, September 12, 2011

Wilbur Holoday of Alabaster shows the oldest vehicle in the competition – a 1926 Ford Model T. (Contributed)

By CATHERINE LEGG / Community Columnist

In spite of the heat and threatening weather, a large group of folks came out to the 10th annual Cars By The Creek antique car show in Montevallo’s Orr Park on Saturday, Sept. 3.

The antique automobile lovers were rewarded with a wonderful show of 55 beautifully restored classic cars, hot rods, muscle cars and trucks. The children’s area featured electronic video games, laser tag, giant hamster balls and free coloring books along with a coloring contest. All of the activities were accompanied by music of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s and plenty of good food.

The Best of Show car was a 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham shown by Michael Mason of Impatient Creations of Alabaster, and the Best of Show truck was a 1984 Jeep CJ-7 shown by John Pugh of Chelsea. The City’s Choice award went to a 1956 Plymouth Belvedere convertible shown by Stewart Dudley of Indian Springs.

The oldest vehicle in the show was the bright yellow 1926 Ford Model T shown by Wilbur Holoday of Alabaster.

Steve Gilbert, of CGS Events, organizers of the show, explained that most car organizations recognize a vehicle as antique when they are 25 years old. At the Montevallo show, vehicles were classified by decade, as there were classes for current models like the Camero, Challengers and Mustangs.

“This year’s show was a great success and well attended by car enthusiasts and the public,” Gilbert said.

It was a great event for the family; it was nice to see lots of children with their parents talking about how cars were ‘back in the day.’”

Seeing those older cars brought back lots of memories for most folks. Some can even remember riding in a rumble-seat like the one in the Model T, or dating in a convertible resembling the Plymouth Belvedere.

CGS Events (Gilbert and George Howell), and the City of Montevallo Parks and Recreation Board produced Cars By The Creek. The game area was sponsored by Dr. Benjamin Crunk, DDS, of Montevallo; and the coloring contest by the Montevallo Arts Council.

Upcoming events in Montevallo include the Fire Prevention Parade on Oct. 8; “Montevallo Main Event” on Oct. 15 will feature the University of Montevallo’s Founders’ Day, the Montevallo Fall Market and the Montevallo Art Walk; Critters by the Creek is scheduled for Oct. 23; and Hometown Halloween Trick or Treat will be on Oct. 31. For information about any of these events, call the Chamber of Commerce office at 665-1519.

Catherine Legg can be reached by email at clegg2@bellsouth.net.