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Car Show Benefits the Community
The Irish Hills Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) hosts its biggest show of the year, an all-wheel car show during the Whiteford Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 to 2 p.m., with donations going to help fund equipment for the inclusive playground at the Whiteford Stoneco Community Park, located at 7100 Whiteford Rd., in Ottawa Lake.
Whiteford Fall Festival Show
“We have antique cars, classic cars, rat rods, trucks, tractors, motorcycles, race cars, Jeeps, campers… any car that people find cool,” explains Steven Johnson, vice president of the Irish Hills Region of the AACA.
With around 350 cars entered annually, a $10 donation is required to register, which is open until the day of the event. “At the end of the fall festival, we take the money that we have accumulated [over the summer], put it all together and then we donate a check to Whiteford Township Parks,” Johnson said.
In addition to the car show, there will also be food trucks, a craft area, silent auction, games, live entertainment and more at the Fall Festival. But the true meaning behind the car show is to help the community. “We [host shows to] use our car guys to help out our local community. What else can you say?” Johnson said.
A Tradition of Showmanship
Since 1962, the Irish Hills Region of the AACA has been showing off classic cars around the Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan area. “We’ve grown into a very large club that has local car shows,” Johnson said. “We have show cars, antique cars, motorcycles, tractors, military vehicles, brand new vehicles, electric vehicles… If the car means something to you, it’s welcome.”.
On the second Tuesday of each month from May to September, the region hosts their club show “Cruisin Back To The Stone Age” at the Whiteford Stoneco Community Park from 5 to 8 p.m.
“You go to other car shows and it’s always the same cars. Ours rotates. We all have half a dozen cars that are the same all the time and then you have cars you’ve never seen before,” Johnson said.
On average, the show gets about 90 cars a month, but on a good night that number can reach up to 135. To enter your car in the show or to attend the show as a visitor, you don’t need to be a member of the club.
Planning a National Event
As the local region grows, the Irish Hills Club is currently working with the national AACA to host a national event in 2028 in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.
“We’re at the early stages right now. Once we find a location, then we have to make sure we can provide a space [big enough for the show],” Johnson said, adding that he has entered his own car, a 1965 Ford Thunderbird, in national events, he has an understanding of just how big they can get. At a show in Charlotte, NC, there were around 1,000 classic cars.
“It’s very expensive to put this on…The national (show) brings in milliondollar cars . . . they want to have them judged and get awards. It’s a big deal,” Johnson said.
Since this would be a national event, all cars entered must be at least 25 years old, classic and original. Even if you don’t have a car that fits these rules, Johnson recommends attending — “If you’re a car guy, you’re going to show up because you want to see what they look like… They bring in some beautiful cars,” Johnson said.
For more information on the regional club, go to its Facebook page at “Whiteford Stoneco Cruisin Back To The Stone Age.” For more information on the national AACA, go to aaca.org.
