FREDERICKTOWN — Gorgeous weather, great music and food, and the chance to see hundreds of restored classic cars, brought large crowds Saturday to the Fredericktown Car Show and Bluegrass Festival.
Event committee member John Walsh said about 250 cars were entered in the show, which drew participants from across Ohio. Several trophies were awarded after crowds had a chance to stroll between the vehicles and talk with the owners, who were happy to share the stories of how much work and devotion went into restoring many of the cars.
“I did all of the mechanical and the engine work myself,” said Danville resident Alan Fry, standing in front of his 1966 Pontiac GTO. “I went clear through it, and I’ve had it back on the road since 2003.”
“That’s really nice,” Fredericktown resident Walt Farlee said, admiring a 1958 Chevy Impala owned by Wayne Bishop of Findlay.
“Actually, that’s the boss’s car,” Bishop said with a grin, pointing at his wife of 50 years, Lueva. The Bishops said they decided to enter the show because they’ve never been to the area, and were impressed with the entertainment, delicious food, and, above all, the welcoming attitude of the people of Fredericktown.
John Ferguson of Fredericktown, who restored his 1947 Ford himself, explained the bright purple color he chose when his nephew painted his car is called thistle.
“Plum was just too dark,” he said.
There were six Judges’ Choice Awards given at the end of the day. Don Baker of Fredericktown took home a trophy for his 1965 Corvette, Dairl Smith of Mansfield won honors for his 1995 Ford Crown Victoria, and Ray Gault of Akron received a trophy for his 1949 International KB1 truck. Heath resident Neil Moore was given an award for his 1972 Ford Gran Torino, and Steve Harding received a trophy for his 1967 Chevy Nova.
Lori, Zach and Kirstie Wilson chose the recipient of the Don Wilson Memorial Award, in honor of their husband and father, Don, who passed away in May. Shelly Kemmer of Chesterville received the award for her maroon 1969 Ford Mach-1 Mustang, which was Don’s favorite make and model car.
Walsh presented a “favorite Chevy” to Phil Lyons of Cardington, for his Chevy 1966 Chevrolet.
Four musical acts played hours of bluegrass music. Traditional band Frosty Morning Bluegrass, which hails from the Newark/Zanesville area, opened the afternoon. The group was joined by guest soloist and mandolin player Benny Palmer for a few numbers. Palmer said he has been playing almost 70 years.
As the bands played, some listeners got to their feet to clap and dance. Brothers John and Jason Davis of Fredericktown said they had come to the event to see the cars since their dad had a vehicle entered, but had taken a seat to listen to some of the concert.
“I usually listen to R and B,” said 18-year-old Jason. “But this is pretty good.”
Tony Ellis and Suzanne Thomas, with the Musicians of Braeburn, then entertained the crowd.
New to the festival this year was accordion master Jesse Ponce, who fronts the band Sal Y Piemienta. The San Antonio native, who now lives in Toledo, said he has played with some diverse legends, including Flaco Jimenez and Pete Seeger.
Ponce has played his traditional bolero rancheras all over the world, and performed on “Saturday Night Live” in 1976. At 65, he has no plans of retiring, because he can’t imagine giving up performing music.
“It’s like an addiction, I can’t get away from it,” he explained with a smile.
Northwest Territory completed the day’s concerts. The four-member group combines banjo, upright bass and guitar to play traditional and original bluegrass and gospel tunes.
While the musicians entertained and the vehicle owners met with other car enthusiasts, the Fredericktown Fire Department fed the crowds. The department participated in the event for the first time, selling pulled pork from hogs firefighters began roasting the night before the event.
The sandwiches were sold to raise money for the volunteer fire department. DeeJay’s donated one of the hogs, and the processing for both.
Fredericktown paramedics and EMTs sold homemade brownies to benefit Fredericktown Emergency Services.
Firefighters and their wives also sold fresh corn on the cob and homemade baked goods, to raise money for the department’s annual toy drive. Last year the toy drive provided toys for almost 100 families in need.
“Because of the economy, we’re probably looking at even more families needing help this year,” said Berndadette Smith, who helped organize the toy drive last year. “Our goal is to help as many families as need help.”
The 20 dozen ears of sweet corn donated by Norton Dumbaugh were cooked by Assistant Fire Chief Larry Schunke and his wife, Cheryl, using the Schunkes’ 1916 antique Case steam traction engine. A hose running from the steam engine fed steam into a 50-gallon barrel filled with corn. The taste of the corn is locked in by the steam.
The pork sandwiches from the two hogs were gone by about 5:45 p.m. Judy and Jack Weber of Pike Township declared the food delicious.
“I think it’s great they did this, and they’ve got such a good turnout,” Judy said.
Walsh said the proceeds from the day will benefit Masonic Lodge 170 in Fredericktown, which assists many Fredericktown orginazations, including Interchurch Social Services, and Fredericktown fire and EMS.
“It’s the first year we’ve combined the live music and the car show at the new location,” Walsh said. “We thought it would be a lot more fun to combine the two events, and have a big party.”
