Clear skies expected for car show
By Donnie A. Lucas
The 16th annual Albany Classic Car Show is revved up and ready to go in downtown Albany on Saturday, April 15, with the public urged to come see dozens of vintage cars and trucks from around the Big Country.
Organizer Robert Snyder said activities will actually begin on Friday, April 14, starting with a hamburger supper beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the car museum on Main Street.
“We will have the hamburger supper starting at 5:30 p.m., followed by the traditional ‘cruise night’ on Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m,” Snyder said. “Then we will start the burnout next to the Bank Park beginning at 7:00 p.m. It looks like the weather will cooperate with us this year, so we hope everyone will come out and join the fun.”
Snyder said he has had a good response so far from owners planning to attend the event on Saturday.
“We have a couple of larger groups who have said they are coming,” he said. “There are car groups from Clyde and Brownwood who have said they are coming.”
He said there are actually a couple of other car shows in the area this year on the same date this year.
“The people I have talked to are still planning to come to ours, so we are still expecting good numbers to enter,” he said. “The clubs may split their entries with some going to one of the others, but most say they like the show we do here the best and will be here on Saturday.”
Registration for exhibitors is from 8:00 until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. The entry fee is $20 per vehicle, with over 25 classes to enter. Specialty and individual awards will be handed out for both cars and trucks.
“We added both a car and truck division to Best of Show a couple of years ago, and people really liked it,” he said. “And we also created People’s Choice Awards for both cars and trucks last year, which everyone liked.”
All judging is conducted by committee members, with the exception of the People’s Choice and Best of Show which are decided by participants.
Entries will line up on South First Street between First National Bank and the Bank Park, along with an adjacent vacant lot to the west if needed.
The show is open to all classics, antiques, hot rods, customs, trucks, and more.
Food Options
There will be several options for visitors wanting to eat while viewing the car show.
The Happy Grill, a local food truck,will be open for breakfast and lunch from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, serving a full menu. Only in-person ordering will be available.
Snyder said that he has also asked a local barbecue food truck to set up on Saturday, but he did not have confirmation yet.
Another truck that has confirmed is Mary’s Paleteria of Abilene, serving Mexican ice cream, fruit pops, and drinks.
For more information about the show, call Snyder at 325-762-4555.
The awards ceremony is expected to be held from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. Saturday.
Snyder said that Eagle Auto is once again providing goodie bags for all entrants while supplies last. The business is also furnishing door prizes during the day.
While the prospects for rain are unlikely, Snyder said that the rainout date, if needed, will be May 13.
