Village Green Park to showcase cars, music during annual event


HOW TO GO

What: 8th Annual Village Green Car Show: A Day of Music and Cars

When: Saturday, Sept. 19, 3:30 – 10 p.m., rain or shine. The Belairs will be in concert at 7 p.m.

Where: Village Green Park, 301 Wessel Dr., Fairfield

Cost: Free to attend. For those showing a car, truck or motorcycle, the registration fee after Sept. 11 is $15.

More info: www.Fairfield-City.org, or call (513) 867-5348. For car questions, contact Barry at (513) 518-8608, or email BarryBrownPaving@aol.com.

FAIRFIELD – A day filled with cars and music will attract spectators from across Southwest Ohio for the 8th Annual Village Green Car Show: A Day of Music and Cars on Saturday, Sept. 19.

This one-day fundraiser will showcase hundreds of classic and antique cars, feature live music and recognize many of the participants with awards for their cars. It is presented by Barry Brown Paving and Fairfield Parks & Recreation.

“When we hosted the city’s 50th anniversary in 2005, one of the events we did was a car show and concert,” said Ben Strickler, community events coordinator, Fairfield Parks & Recreation. “It was very similar to what this is now, and it really had a great response in terms of having it located in Village Green and the music. From that, we had some local folks, Barry Brown and his group of volunteers, who had insight on cars and knowledge in regard to that area of the event come forward. So, we partnered with them to put this on.”

The monies raised from the registration fees benefit the Fairfield Community Foundation’s Lisa Brown Scholarship Fund and the response has been tremendous, Strickler said.

“Lisa volunteered for years when all of our four kids were going through Fairfield West Elementary,” said show coordinator Barry Brown, who set up the scholarship fund in memory of his late wife, who passed away from colon cancer.

To date, seven college scholarships have been awarded to Fairfield students. Last year, a $1,000 scholarship was awarded. Each year, a panel of teachers and school officials select the student(s) that will receive a scholarship, organizers said.

Geared toward the automobile enthusiast, the event features antique cars from the 1930’s and 40’s on up to classics from the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. Cars, trucks and motorcycles will be on display. Last year, one participant showcased a Kaiser Darrin, for example. Participants gather from all over the Tri-State, including those from Indiana, Kentucky, Cincinnati and Dayton.

“The car owners pull in, and they put a lot of effort and resources into their cars, and they are beautiful. They pull up, polish their cars and make them look nice. You can see all the effort and time they put into it by what they show,” Strickler said.

Cars will be parked along a portion of Wessel Drive as well as in parking areas throughout Village Green Park. About 175 to 200 cars are expected to be on display. Outstanding vehicle awards, special recognition and judge’s choice awards will be handed out the day of the show. The recipients will be announced at around 8:15 p.m.

“This car show is one of the best shows in Southwest Ohio. It’s one of the best venues, and I think we’ve run it right,” said Brown, a Fairfield native, who owns a 1951 Studebaker. “We couldn’t have a better partner than the city of Fairfield. I do this because it does support the scholarship fund, and it’s a big party for the City of Fairfield.”

According to Strickler, the event formerly known as Cruise In on the Green, has continued to grow – in the number of cars on display, the number of spectators who come out to enjoy the event as well as the vendors and members of the business community that participate. Last year, there were three to four vendors. This year, 10 to 12 will participate, including the food vendors – Amaizing Grace Kettlecorn, Flubs Ice Cream, Hot Head Burrito and Piggin-n-Grinnin BBQ.

At 7 p.m., the Cincinnati-based Belairs, a Las Vegas-style show group, will return to perform crowd favorites from the 1950’s, and 60’s. Complete with costumes and choreography, the group features a four-part harmony combined with a bit of humor and audience participation. The performance will include tributes to Roy Orbison, Dion, Dusty Springfield, Billy Joe Royal, Jackie Wilson, Tom Jones, Leslie Gore and more.

“This is a fun day in Fairfield,” Brown said. “The Belairs are outstanding. They put on a show, it’s not just a band playing. People set up their chairs early on Saturday morning, so they don’t miss a spot.”

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