Jim Clements estimated that the Vintage Auto Club’s “Blast from the Past” on Saturday was the largest ever in its 22-year history.
He estimated more than 750 cars, trucks and motorcycles filled Sandusky Street and surrounding parking lots from sunshine to sundown on Saturday. Sandusky was shut down between Harrison Avenue and Central Avenue.
“It’s amazing,” Clements said sitting on a golf cart. “It’s a beautiful day, beautiful weather, all kinds of cars, all kinds of people – so it’s been very good.”
A sea of people crowded Sandusky Street to enjoy the vintage vehicles, the weather and the conversation.
“Cruisers like downtown shows because there are shops for the wives to go to, restaurants, and it draws a lot of folks to the downtown area spectator-wise, and cruisers like to talk about their cars,” Clements told The Gazette last week. “As far as the spectators, they love to come down and see everyone. It’s like a big social event to see all of their friends and neighbors. They like to look at the cars, too. Hopefully it helps out the businesses, and from what I hear, they’re very happy with it.”
Clements, a member of the club’s events committee, said he thought that the show had done more than 700 vehicles once before.
Show sponsors handed out 110 awards and a 50/50 raffle drawing at the R.W. Corns Building. Winning tickets were also announced on the show’s Facebook page.
Awards included the Sponsor’s Choice Award, the Best Use of Paint Award and the Club Participation Award among many others.
The show also featured live music, food and games that were spread out along Sandusky.
The turnout far exceeded last year’s 640 vehicles displayed.
