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Dillsboro to host monthly vintage car, truck shows this summer
By Stephanie Salmons
Folks visiting Dillsboro this summer will have yet another reason to take a stroll down memory lane.
Vintage car and truck shows will be held every third Thursday through September, with the first planned next Thursday, June 19, from 6 until 8:30 p.m.
Dillsboro merchant David Gates, who has a few older cars of his own, said he’s always liked antique cars and thought it would be interesting to have a car show in the town. The idea for the car shows came to him last fall, he said.
Although the first car show was planned for May, that event was canceled because of rain.
No preregistration is necessary, Gates said.
In addition to the car show a number of Dillsboro shops will be open and entertainment will be on hand.
“(Local bluegrass/gospel group) Mountain Faith will be playing this time, and we’ll have different music each month,” Gates said.
Cars will be judged in three different age groups: 1935-50, 1951-65 and 1966-75, with a prize also going to the overall “best-looking” car.
Trophies will be given at the July 17 car show, he said.
The car show is sponsored in part by the Dillsboro Merchant Association and a number of local businesses, Gates said.
“Most people that have those kind of cars seem excited about it,” Gates said, adding that people who traditionally go to area car shows will like it because it offers a different setting.
“I really hope there’s a large crowd,” Gates said. “I hope since I have more space, since I’ll have Front Street closed, we’ll be able to draw 50 to 60 cars.”
The car shows also should bring shoppers into town, which would benefit local merchants, Gates said.
In addition to the June 19 event, shows are planned for July 17, Aug. 21 and Sept. 18 but will be canceled in the event of rain.
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