Chevelles and Fairlanes and Studebakers, oh my! Dads of all ages took a walk down memory lane at the seventh annual Father’s Day Car Show hosted last Sunday by the Vero Beach Elks Lodge #1774.
“We figured it would be a fun way to get lodge attention and raise money for our veterans here in the county,” said Craig Waskow, event organizer and a past Vero Beach Elks Exalted Ruler. “Father’s Day is a guy’s day; fathers get to pick what they want to do. It’s something grandfathers can do with their sons and grandchildren.”
More than 100 classic, antique and collectible cars rolled in from all over the Treasure Coast, displaying everything from a 1927 Ford Speedster and a National Champion drag race car, to a 1966 Corvette Stingray sitting alongside a 2013 Chevy Corvette.
After taking a turn around the lot, car enthusiasts tried their chance at raffle prizes, cooled off inside while enjoying hotdogs, hamburgers and pulled pork, and stopped at the ice cream truck for a frozen treat.
Strolling about with her husband, son and three grandchildren, Cindy Rednouer explained that the car show is a Father’s Day tradition for their family. Husband Chuck and son J. have attended car shows since J. was a little boy and they are now enjoying sharing the tradition with J.’s children.
“It’s what we drove when we were teenagers. These cars take you back,” shared Chuck, pointing out his favorite car, a 1940 Ford. Son J. disagreed, saying with a smile, “The 1967 Camaro is the best car there.”
While each might have a different favorite car, they were in agreement that the car show was the only place they want to be on this particular day.
Neill Barr, a member of the Indian River Region Automobile Club of America, showed off his 1957 Nash Metropolitan. Although he has only had this car for three years, Barr said this was his 33rd car show, adding, “This is a great venue and an even greater bunch of guys.”
Proceeds from the event help support the Elks Lodge Veterans Committee and the Vietnam Veterans of Indian River County. “Everything stays here in the county for veterans’ assistance,” said Waskow.