First Tourism Authority car show a success
Robbinsville – Gearheads from across the region had a chance to come together and show off their rides Saturday at the Drag-On Car Show, hosted by the Robbinsville Tourism Authority.
The show drew more than 60 vehicles from across the region to the Robbinsville High School parking lot, and allowed locals and tourists alike to get up close and personal with the classic cars.
Vehicles were judged based on category and other events – including a rev-off – were held.
“The community has come together nicely,” said Robbinsville Tourism Authority Director Karen Taylor. “I think we have a wealth of custom cars.”
Taylor also said she was glad to finally be able to have a large event, despite the pandemic.
“I think it’s wonderful that we can pull the community together and have an event like this,” Taylor said. “I’d like to see more things like this happen.
“It’s an outdoor event. We feel comfort that everyone’s practicing precaution ally COVID measures, but it’s a beautiful day for it and we’re thankful that it’s outside.”
She also said that the Robbinsville Tourism Authority was looking at making the car show an annual event, and that there was a possibility of a second car show or a motorcycle show later in the year.
“We are dependent upon tourism to a large degree, since the farming, agriculture and logging industries have dwindled away,” Taylor said. “I think this is going to capitalize on the things that we have here.”
Stecoah resident Terry Sams was at the show with his green 1962 Ford Econoline pickup truck. He said Taylor had reached out to him and other classic car enthusiasts in the area when the idea of a car show was first discussed.
He also said he thought the show went well for its first year.
“I said ‘You need to do it, because if you do it right, each year it’ll get bigger,” Sams said. “I’m very, very, very happy with the turnout.”
He said he took his Econoline and two other classic cars to several shows throughout the region.
“What we enjoy about it is that people love it,” Sams said. “People look at this truck and they smile. You go look at a Camaro or something and it’s pretty, but when you look at this thing, everybody smiles. We sit here and watch people smile at the truck.
“We get as much enjoyment watching the people look at the truck as I guess the people do looking at the truck.”