Endless classic Mustangs, GTOs and Novas, this year’s Subarus, Porsches and Audis. What more could car fans ask for?
Save the date — Aug. 31 — and check out Country Village’s 7th Annual Fall Car Show.
Country Village has held several car shows in the past 11 years. Since Country Village already held a Mother’s Day flower and garden event, Leeann Tesorieri, Country Village manager, worked hard to think of a Father’s Day function to match up.
“One of our shop owners suggested a car show. Some of our first participants were members of the Fly By Night Cruisers, a local car club. They offered to help organize and run the show, and have been sponsoring both the Father’s Day Show, and the Fall Car Show ever since,” Tesorieri expresses with gratefulness.
Nice weather has helped to pull off successful Father’s Day car shows the last two years with 135 and 189 participants, respectively. But sometimes the weather is not so cooperative. During last year’s Fall Car Show, the typical Seattle weather rolled in and brought in a sum of 82 people.
As Tesorieri says, “Many of the participants don’t want to do an outdoor show if it’s raining — and can you blame them? If it’s sunny, we get strong attendance.”
Car enthusiasts and contributors are ready to roll this year.
Ruby’s Diner, Seattle’s Sun Tan, Bonefish Grill, Outback Steakhouse, Grazies, Denny’s and Les Schwab are on board. Richard Dowling, the car-show director, also received a $350 Gold’s Gym membership donation, making it the grand prize. Merchants from Country Village will also donate their products toward the raffles.
Jim Green’s Speed Center is the trophy sponsor this year. Tesorieri has added more categories to this year’s awards, such as “Best Display,” elaborate displays that are created by using only the car and trunk; and “18 and Under,” the best car owned by an 18-year-old or younger.
Tesorieri adds that each year Country Village sponsors award plaques for a number of different categories. Car-show enthusiasts will judge the cars for trophies and plaques.
Though the day will be all about cars, there are other numerous activities, as well.
The Gold Rush Fever Band will be playing live music throughout the day. Stop by and watch live glass blowing by Urban Forms Glass Studios. Bounce house and train rides are available to occupy children. If this isn’t enough to keep you entertained, all 45 shops and restaurants within Country Village will be open.
While you’re wandering through the impressive rows of grand cars, listening for your name to be called in drawings and wishing you could own that 1967 Mustang, remember a portion of the proceeds benefits Northwest Harvest.
For people who are thinking about coming to the car show, Dowling has a few words, “It’s awesome for new people that have not been to a show before; we’ve got a lot of people talking.
“Were trying to get the younger generation involved, (because) they weren’t involved with the old cars (participating).”
All classic and new cars are welcome to show up, with a $15 entry fee. Make sure to get there early because the first 100 pre-registered cars that drive in receive a dated dash plaque.
The show takes place from noon to 4 p.m. at the south parking area at Country Village, 23718 Seventh Ave. S.E. For information, visit www.countryvillagebothell.com.
