FAIRBORN – The Fairborn Area Chamber of Commerce is anticipating 300 vehicles to fill Main Street and Central Avenue while participating in the 25th Annual Downtown Fairborn Car Show and Cruise In Sunday, with proceeds benefiting Dayton Children’s Hospital.
“It’s the silver anniversary of it,” Chamber Ambassador Paul Newman Sr. said. “We’re very optimistic as to how it has grown and how we think it will continue to grow. It has quite an economic impact on [the area], and it’s really an attraction to bring people to see our downtown.”
The event was previously planned by a committee, however in 2013 the Fairborn Area Chamber of Commerce began to serve as hosts. Downtown saw 194 vehicles participate in the Chamber’s first year of planning the event, and 264 last year. Attendees will see varied new items featured at the car show and cruise in this year, such as an artist; returning items include antique semis, military vehicles ranging in eras and DJ Dick “Hot Dog” Ryman.
“We were really fortunate to secure his (DJ Dick ‘Hot Dog’ Ryman) services,” Newman Sr. said. “Any big local car show, he’s the dj. He’s a personality we were pleased to have brought aboard last year, and he’ll be back with us this year.”
For the first time at the event, Shane Syx will be present to paint a variety of items, such as toilet seats, helmets, flat panels, ceiling tiles, hubcaps and more, during “Panel Jams.” The items will later be auctioned off with the funds going toward Dayton Children’s Hospital.
“He’s a nationally-known guy,” Newman Sr. said. “His artwork is incredible.”
Participants may begin registering 8 a.m. until noon Sunday at a cost of $15, which includes a t-shirt. The first 250 participants will receive goodie bags filled with things such as key chains, coozies, water, chips, magnets and other specialty items. Those wishing to participate may pick up registration forms in advance at either the Fairborn Area Chamber of Commerce Building, 12 N. Central Ave., or Foy’s Variety Store, 18 E. Main St.
The top 100 vehicles and 10 motorcycles will receive plaques, while 40 vehicles will receive trophies in varying categories that highlight the Fairborn community, as well as categories that focus on the “best of,” such as original, custom, rod, pro street muscle, truck, race car, new car, beater, compact motorcycle, engine, paint and interior. Former Dayton Children’s Hospital patients will select one vehicle to receive a trophy that stands six-feet in height.
“I love the fact that it benefits Dayton Children’s,” Executive Director Paul Newman Jr. said. “What is exciting to our visitors is all the varied cars, getting to see their favorite make and models … It’s wonderful to have a family-oriented event in which families can walk Main Street.”
In conjunction with the event, Operation Fairborn Cares will host the fundraiser “Heels for Heroes” beginning 1 p.m., in which male participants will race in high heels and female participants will race in combat boots for one block. Individuals interested in participating in “Heels for Heroes” should contact Councilwoman Marilyn McCauley at [email protected] or 937-305-7540.
A pre-show cruise-in will take place 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday along Main Street between Central and Pleasant Avenues. Beginning next year, the Fairborn Chamber of Commerce will host the event after the U.S. Air Force Marathon on the following Sunday. The event is sponsored by Autozone.
“In the future, we will always have the car show the day after the Air Force Marathon,” Newman Sr. said. “The marathon is always the third Saturday in September, so it will be the third Sunday. That works well for us and the city … It gives us a permanent date from here on out that won’t compete against other local car shows.”
