Joe Dvash was in Iowa when we called him, but he was happy to talk about the car show.
“It’s a nice way to end the summer,” he said. “It’s a wonderful family event.”
Mr. Dvash is the president of the Greater Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, which is hosting the show in front of Ring’s Pond from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1. “We’re open to any model,” he told us. “There are no restrictions.”
Debuting on Labor Day weekend in 2016, the show has been a double win for Cornwall. It entertains residents on the last weekend of the summer and it raises money for our first responders. In some years as much as $4,000 has been raised.
Traditionally, the show attracts more than 100 entries. Owners can register in advance at www.cornwallchamber.org, but most prefer to show up and pay on the day of the event. This is not a rain or shine activity. Car owners don’t like to participate in bad weather. So the chamber has established Sept. 2 as a rain date.
During its first three years, the car show has been popular with all members of the family. If the kids get tired of looking at the vehicles, they can go to the Bounce House or try the other young people’s activities. They can also encourage their parents to buy something from the food truck. Mr. Dvash mentioned the truck in our conversation and suggested that everyone should “come hungry.”
Spectators can vote for their favorite entries. Last year’s Best in Show Award went to the owner of a customized 1937 Ford. Two other car owners received trophies because their vehicles were selected by the Mayor or Town Supervisor.
September is a busy month for the chamber. The car show is followed by the Fall Festival on Sept. 22 — a rain or shine activity that covers most of Main Street.
