Villa Park- On May 8^th, 2010, The Villa Park High School Marching Band hosted their 7^th annual Benefit Car show. All proceeds from this show benefitted the marching band, tall flags, and color guard to help with instrument, uniform, and travel expenses. Aside from entry ticket sales, VPHS also offered a pancake breakfast and a huge raffle to generate more funds for the school. There were many vendors scattered throughout the show offering various goods and services. Over one hundred vehicles lined the parking lot of the school and featured classics and new cars alike. SoCal Challengers took home the group Participation Trophy from this show for the second year in a row.

My wife and I pulled in to the meeting spot which was a coffee shop in the Villa Park Center only to see Jeff G and Dave already there. This show always brings back so much for me. It’s a small show (Around 100 cars or so this time) but it’s really relaxed and fun. The logistics for me are easy. Villa Park High is my alma mater so a lot of memories come flying back when I’m there. That center we met at in the morning I had spent so much time in as a kid. My dentist is still in that center and two people that work at that 76 gas station were working there when I was going to High School.  It was great to see so many more SCC Members join me this time around. We almost doubled last years turnout. Marcello brought his kids this time. It was great to finally meet them. G2’s wife Michelle brought her brand spankin’ new Charger Daytona to roll in with us too. Klaus brought a kick-ass 1955 Chrysler wagon. Aaron from Stack Performance brought Ryan’s Charger and hung out with us too for the day. He had to pretend to like us for some eight hours or so. Poor Aaron.  It ended up being a nice little crowd in the Coffee Grove parking area. After most of us shoved some coffee down our throats and I gave the pre-meeting, it was line ‘em up and move ‘em out.

This car show is one of my favorites to pull into because the high school kids are always manning the entrance to the show. They completely flip when they see our cars. There were three kids standing at the entrance and their jaws all collectively dropped as I turned the group in the driveway. One kid actually walked out of the drive way to look down the street and see how far the line went back down the street. Kids are great that way. They’re not too old to have learned to hide their feelings and show their emotion. They loved it and we loved seeing them love it. We had our own parking area marked off for us and parking was a snap. Well, sort of. I found out I’m not as good at parking people and lining them up as Shotgun Fred is. My line was not as sharp as his would have been. Maybe Fred can give me a few tips next time I see him. Klaus had a booth next to us to for his auto sales business, Exclusive Motors. He parked that wagon next to us. I was amazed how popular that wagon was that day. People were all over it. It was  one of only ten known to be still in existence.

After we got parked, shined up, and the ez-ups placed I headed for the pancake breakfast. Member Jim D had brought fresh salmon, cream cheese, and bagels for those who weren’t in the mood for flapjacks. I had some great conversation with Tom and Aaron at the breakfast tables. My wife bought plenty of raffle tickets and so did a lot of the other members. Last year my wife hit on about five raffles. Unfortunately, it was the same thing every time. Light bulbs. Those “Last forever” light bulbs. We now have light bulbs for the next fourty years. This year she kept winning tickets to the Nixon Library. I think she won six of them. We gave some away. I guess we can take all my neighbors to see Nixon’s Library . And maybe pawn off a few light bulbs.  

When it came time for awards about 2pm or so we knew we pretty much had the Group Trophy in the bag. I didn’t even see another club there. If they were, they were stealth. I didn’t see any window placards, club shirts, or stickers. We got it. Way cool. Klaus’s wagon won in the “Muscle Cars from 1930 to 1980” Category.  Aaron received some payback for having to spend his off-day with us by winning the “People’s Choice” Award. A good day for everyone involved especially the kids.

A big thank you to my fellow SCC’ers who came out to support my alma mater. You guys brought it this year and the kids have won again as a direct result of your graciousness and gift of time. Your donations will be put to good use. Thank you also the kids who volunteered to run the show that day. That show happens because of you. Anyone want to go to the Nixon Library?