16th
Annual Old Car Festival -- McAllen
November 9, 2003
A cool and crisp fall morning
greeted us as we arrived early to set up our vehicles at the
Palmer Pavilion on the corner of Hackberry and McColl streets in
McAllen.
Over 280 vehicles showed up to
display their rides at this event, organized and sponsored by
members of the Rio Grande Valley region of the Antique
Automobile Club of America (AACA). The food and beverage
concession was operated by the American Legion Post 37.
Barbeque lunches were prepared throughout the afternoon in the
smokehouse. Inside exhibitors filled the pavilion and the
Valley Railroad club set up model trains for kids off all ages
to enjoy.
A few motorcycles showed up as well
as several new cars, which were met with distain from the old
car enthusiasts. Several of the old car enthusiasts did not
approve of the newer models in the show. If you were there and
have an opinion about this,
drop us an e-mail with your
opinion and we will forward it to AACA.
Door prizes were awarded every half
hour and a raffle was held at the end of the show. The 50/50
pot was over $200. A live remote was present all day from
Oldies radio KQXX FM 105.5.
Registration began at 7:00 am and
closed at 11:00 am. Admission was free, although it was
preferred that those entering a car donate a canned good or
other non-perishable food item that was given to the RGV Food
Bank. Admission to the public was also free and the word really
got out as there was a steady stream of people flooding the park
all day long. A large American flag flown on top of a crane
across from the entrance to the show. There was a 1944 Sherman
tank that was brought in on display as well. The show ran
from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.
The first 100 vehicles received a
free t-shirt and all participants received a dash plaque. For
more information on next year’s event or to join AACA, contact
Tom Pipkin at (956) 618-3844.
There were far more
cars at the event to picture, these are just a small sampling.
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Some trust in chariots and some
in horses,
but we trust in the name of the
Lord our God. - Psalm 20:7
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