Car enthusiasts will be showing off dozens of vintage rides and helping out a good cause this weekend.
Toys for Tots is holding its fifth annual Christmas in July Car Show this Saturday.
“It’s a fun time for everyone in the family,” says Gene Weller, Centre County Toys for Tots coordinator. “The car show usually has around 40-50 vehicles and there are also other activities besides the car show.”
This is Weller’s 29th year as the Toys for Tots coordinator.
“Before I got here there wasn’t much awareness,” says Weller. “I’ve worked very hard and made it a county wide effort. Events like these help a lot because they usually draw a good amount of people.”
While you’re looking at the cars, there will be live music played by Bandit, a classic rock band.
“There are going to be a lot of food too,” says Penny Hain, operations manager at WHVL-TV Studio, the event’s sponsor. “We have ice cream vendors, drinks and vending machines for anyone who gets hungry.”
There will be a 50/50 auction, a Chinese auction, free shirts, caps and other gifts. All the proceeds from the auctions will benefit Toys for Tots.
The event is free but Hain and Weller both urge visitors to bring some unwrapped toys to donate to Toys for Tots.
“We’re always in need of toys for kids between the ages of zero to two and 10 and above,” says Weller. “So something like jewelry or stuffed animals are perfect gifts.”
Since it began, the car show has gained more and more popularity each year and Hain expects about 200-300 people at this year’s show.
“We also have a kid’s choice award where the kids can vote on their favorite cars, trucks or bikes and then we present the person with the most vote the award,” she says. “It’s just another way to get the kids involved in the car show.”
The event is being held Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. outside the WHLV-TV studios at 2820 E. College Ave., State College — across the street from the Nittany Mall.
To register a car, Click Here. The fee to register a car is $10 and the first 50 cars get a free dash plaque.
