18th Classic Car Show returns to downtown Albany
By Melinda L. Lucas
The 18th annual Albany Classic Car Show is revved up and ready to go in downtown Albany on Saturday, April 19, with the public urged to come see dozens of vintage cars and trucks from around the Big Country over the Easter weekend.
Organizer Robert Snyder said activities will actually begin the night before, on Friday, April 18 with a hamburger supper and burnout at the Bank Park.
Cost of the burger basket is a minimum of $10, but Snyder said that extra donations are always welcome to help support and sustain the car show.
“The Burger Burn fundraiser will get underway about 6:00 p.m.,” Snyder said. “Then we will start the burnout next to the Bank Park about 6:30 p.m.”
Snyder is coordinating with the Good Friday service since it is at the nearby Aztec that evening at 5:30 p.m. He plans to start the burnout event at 6:30 p.m., about the time the Aztec service is letting out so there won’t be a conflict.
He also commented that Parsons Beef is donating the patties for the fundraiser, and that will help with the cost, as well as contribute to the overall expenses.
Donations Helpful
Donations are always welcome to help with the expenses of the car show.
To make a contribution or for more information about the show, call Snyder at 325-762-4555.
Saturday Show
Even with rain in the forecast for Saturday, Snyder is hopeful that Saturday’s event will be successful.
“You just never know about the weather,” Snyder said, joking that “we think we should start getting donations from farmers and ranchers around here, because we can pretty well guarantee that we’re going to get rain for the car show weekend. If enough farmers and ranchers donate, we can build a dome downtown, and everybody will be happy.”
The rain-out date for the 2025 show is Saturday, May 17.
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 have both a car and truck division for Best of Show, and people have really liked that,” he said. “And we also created Peoples’ Choice Awards for both cars and trucks a few years ago, which everyone likes.”
Judging will be done by a four-panel team of judges from out of town, with the exception of the Best of Show and People’s Choice Awards for both cars and trucks. Judging is done on a point system, Snyder said.
Entries will line up on South First Street between Clear Fork Bank and the Bank Park, and around the corner to the north if needed.
The show is open to all classics, antiques, hot rods, customs, trucks, and more.
Several food vendors are expected to set up at the Bank Park during the day on Saturday, and Snyder thinks that there will also be a bake sale.
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.
Clear Fork Bank is providing the trophies and plaques, as well as helping with other expenses.
