Clear skies expected for car show
By Donnie A. Lucas
The 15th annual Albany Classic Car Show is ready at the starting line for Saturday, April 16 in downtown Albany, with the public urged to come view dozens of vintage cars and trucks from around the Big Country.
Organizer Robert Snyder said activities will actually begin on Friday, April 16.
“We will have the traditional ‘cruise’ night on Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m, followed by the burnout starting at 7:00 p.m.,” Snyder said. “It looks like the weather will cooperate with us this year.”
In addition to the “cruise,” a hamburger supper at the downtown car museum is planned as a fundraiser on Friday evening, starting at 5:30 p.m. Proceeds will help pay car show expenses.
Snyder said he has had a good response so far from owners planning to attend.
“We have a couple of larger groups who have said they are coming,” he said. “There is a car group from Clyde and a truck club from Abilene, both with sizable numbers, planning to be here.”
He said he realizes that this weekend is busy, but said that those bringing vehicles usually like to enter if they know other events will also bring people to town.
“We realize it is Easter weekend, but the car owners actually like that because they feel more out of town visitors are here to come see the cars,” Snyder said. “We are expecting another good show.”
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 last year, and people really liked it,” he said. “We will also be doing People’s Choice Awards for both cars and trucks this year.”
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 be lined 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 to eat while viewing the car show.
The Happy Grill, a local food truck,will be open for breakfast and lunch from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, and will also be open at the Bank Park for a couple of hours on Friday night during the cruise and burnout with burgers.
Snyder said that owners of a taco food truck have also said they were coming on Saturday, and the Masonic Lodge will be selling sausage wraps starting at about 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
For more information about the show, call Snyder at 325-762-4555.
The awards ceremony is expected to be held at 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 21.
