Coverage of the Local Car Show in Garrettsville, Ohio, on Aug. 13th

Car shows and cruises are big family fun during summer months here in Northeast Ohio, and I believe that small towns are putting on some of the best car shows around. Finding wholesome inexpensive family fun has become much more complex each summer season.

One of my absolute favorite smaller car show venues here in Northeast Ohio is held in the charming town of Garrettsville, Ohio. They do the whole thing right by having a show or cruise each month of the summer for a total of four separate family fun evenings.

These car events are supported by the Garrettsville area Chamber of Commerce. These car shows kick off summer with a bang during the first cruise on Main Street. This year the first one was on held May 28th and was held in conjunction with their annual "Summer-fest," which was a three day extravaganza. The August 13th event was held at the local Garrettsville fire station, celebrating the end of summer and the Peach Festival., and had live entertainment by Dennis Chandler and the Stratophonics.

Among the cars at today's event were a wide variety of vehicles ranging from the curiously odd to the amazingly beautiful. There were plenty of different cars to see from all vintages and manufacturers with a handful really standing out. I selected a few of my favorites after a few tours of the grassy field where the cars were parked. Many of the cars arrived right around 5 p.m. and since I was there a little early I could watch them roll in with big engines roaring, which definitely gives you a much better feel for what these classic cars were built for.

Most were shiny examples of mainstream favorites such as the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air, and a Gold 1963 Stingray Split Window Coupe, plus there were plenty of Novas, Camaros and Mustangs. By far my favorites were the Corvairs, a sweet 1958 Impala, the super customized 1977 Jeep CJ5, and an incredibly clean 1966 Coronet 440 station wagon with all original interior and factory wheels. And perhaps the most impressive vehicle there had to be the incredibly clean 1954 Chrysler Windsor Deluxe Newport, of which there are only 12 known models nationally and 3 of those are registered in the state of Ohio, according to the Automotive Info Clearinghouse.

I spoke with a couple who have taken their silver 1968 Dodge Charger to 99 car shows last year alone! Quite nice people and a very fine Charger. Another gentleman built a custom Jeep with his son as a hobby so that they can spend time together. And there was a very animated couple who transformed a clapped out 110 HP Convertible Corvair into one of the finer rides at the show. One of the most fun parts of these small local car shows is interactingh with these proud owners and learning about their passion, and it truly is infectious as I now know it is time for me to get a car ready for next year!

This event marks the final cruise night and car show of this season. The festivities here today included trophies for best General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Other, Custom, Truck and finally Best of Show. Of the over 100 cars and trucks at this show the top 50 will receive dash plaques, compliments of Rick Patrick's Auto Sales. The event offers a 50/50 drawing in which you can win cash and merchandise and the festivities include peach pie, peach ice cream sundaes, or straight fresh picked peaches.

When a family can get out and see something like this for free it makes summer that much more enjoyable, and I guarantee many of us will return for these events next year.

Thank you for reading my articles!