Automobilia show overcomes obstacles in 22nd year
Despite facing more than the usual challenges, the 2016 version of Automobilia’s Moonlight Car Show and Street Party drew both crowds and cars to the streets as usual last weekend.
“We had every kind of problem in the world,” said Gary Carpenter, the organizer of the downtown event, which was in its 22nd year. “Our website was hijacked … and there was a problem with people coming long distances. The weather forecasters were predicting rain, high winds, possible hail and temperatures of 105 degrees and that kind of held it back. It was light on some of the side streets.”
The website issue created confusion about times, and the weather warnings kept some out of state regulars from driving in for the event.
“But the people were excellent. They always are,” he said. “The whole show is designed for fun.”
“We’ve really been blessed that in 22 years, we’ve never had to cancel it,” he noted.
One of the highlights was the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to famed Wichita customizer Dave Stuckey, who was on hand, along with the Lil Coffin II show car, to accept the award and pose for pictures and sign autographs.
Mike Berry: mberry@wichitaeagle.com
This story was originally published July 13, 2016 at 10:44 AM with the headline "Automobilia show overcomes obstacles in 22nd year."