June 9, 2011

Penrhyn Car Show

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Penrhyn Fire Chief Milt Dunbar was a happy camper Saturday night.

As the grounds of the fire station filled up with unique, rare and even one of a kind automobiles for the sixth annual Penrhyn Car Rally his only task was flipping burgers on the grill.

“It’s kind of nice these guys get it all organized and then we just show up to help out,” Dunbar said.

Vehicles from a prize-wining Cadillac El Dorado to a Willy’s Jeep with giant 38-inch tires to Brockway tractor trailers joined Corvettes and Camaros at the annual car event.

Cole’s Cruisers President Dave Cole said he enjoyed the show and had come with several other members from the Glens Falls area to attend the show. “It’s a nice little show and that’s what people like about,” he said.

Cole said the appeal for people showing cars is the intimate atmosphere where they were not lost in a huge field of cars, he said as he polished the paint job of his 1953 Pontiac Chieftan.

Fort Ann’s Frank Cottone brought his 1959 Cadillac El Dorado back to the show for the second time after winning the People’s Choice award in 2010. Cottone said he enjoyed the show enough to come to Granville after spending the first part of the day in Saratoga Springs where his car took best in show.

Each year the car owners and patrons tab their favorite out of all of the entrants and award the vehicle People’s Choice which is the top award out of the 20 the fire department hands out.

The winner for 2011 was Poultney resident Mike McCrea and his 1986 Camaro.

Each winners gets a slate plaque award donated by Sheldon Slate.

Entrants numbered in the neighborhood of 70 vehicles, filling the fire station lawn.

Although many car owners return year after year, others were new to the show. Don Doane, also from Poultney, said his 1951 Willy’s was a first time entrant.

Dunbar credited Shannon Humprey, Alicia Dunbar and Bernie and Mary Emery with months of work organizing before the show to get things prepared and alert car clubs around the area.

Bernie Emery was the man who brought forth the idea of a car show as a fundraiser after the department decided to eliminate their fireman’s carnival.

Since the first show six years ago, Dunbar said the show has grown a bit each year but has remained something driven by the membership.