The Shalersville Historical Society is joining in the annual mid-year festivities around Portage County by hosting its first annual Classic Car Show at 9154 State Route 44 in Mantua on May 30 beginning at 4 p.m.
“This is a new idea we came up with,” SHS President/Shalersville Township Board of Trustees Vice Chairman Ron Kotkowski told The Weekly Villager on May 2. “We are always trying to find different things for fundraisers. We feel that we have a nice setting for a car show. We are excited about it. It is something that has the potential to be an annual show, so it is going to be a good event.”
According to Kotkowski, in the event of inclement weather on the scheduled date, the SHS will move the Show to May 31 as a back-up plan.
The SHS’ first annual Classic Car Show will feature live entertainment courtesy of local DJ Brian Resh, who will provide musical entertainment with classic hit songs from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s and food will be provided the Crestwood Lions Club. All money raised from the event will go directly to the SHS’ general fund. Car registrations will cost applicants $10 and there will also be a 50-50 raffle and other prizes auctioned off at the event.
All classic cars that are entered into the event will be parked on the grounds of the SHS, and the owners will be nearby their respective cars to educate all interested parties about the history, make and model of the car.
“The main enthusiasts are the car owners and then you have a lot of sightseers also and I assume that they vary in their knowledge and appreciation of the cars but that is the nice thing about a car show, when someone brings the car, they usually sit near it and explain to people the history of it,” he added. “So, it is a nice way for the average family to come and learn about things.”
Kotkowski said that the SHS had brainstormed about new ideas for fundraisers and settled on hosting their first annual Classic Car Show at the beginning of spring.
He added that the SHS has drummed up interest by advertising on social media and car enthusiasts’ websites to entice car collectors to submit their classic cars for the public viewing.
“People are nostalgic and they like seeing the classic and antique cars,” noted Kotkowski. “It brings back memories, kids like to see them, it is usually a popular event.”
Kotkowski added that the nostalgia and memories offered are two core values that align with the SHS’ mission statement.
“We are all about preserving the past for future generations and this is right in line with that,” he added.
In addition to having a plethora of classic cars parked on the SHS’ grounds, Kotkowski said that the SHS will offer free tours around the campus of all of the sites that it has to offer, including the 1806 Baker House and a one-room Shalersville School House and the SHS museum.
“It is a good mix of things for the Shalersville Historical society,” Kotkowski said. “We have a lot of cool stuff in the Society and people will be there to explain to the general public what we have on display and educate them about local history.”
The prizes that that SHS will auction off will be donated courtesy of local businesses and vendors, as most will consist of gift cards, car-related accessories, and tools.
Kotkowski acknowledged that the SHS has high expectations for the show, as Portage County is usually layered with annual car shows throughout the community each summer but highlighted the organization’s excitement of finally having a chance to host their own annual car show.
“I think that it will be great fun for anybody that comes,” he said. “Car shows are always fun. I’ve got to go to a lot of them and you go back because you like to talk to people and see the different cars and trucks and learn a little bit about them especially the unique things. We don’t know who is going to show up, but I guarantee that there will be a lot of unique vehicles that will be fun to look at.”
