Although the annual car show has been a staple of New Paris’ AppleFest over the years, this year it received a new name in honor of former car show guru James White, also known as “Whitey.”
PREBLE COUNTY — Proud classic or other vehicle owners wanting to show off their rides — or those who just love looking at them — have several cruise-ins to choose from this weekend, from one side of Preble County to the other.
From New Paris to Gratis, and even the Preble County Senior Center in Eaton, there will be an abundance of classic cars and hot rods out and about and on display this Saturday, Sept. 9.
AppleFest Car Show
Saturday, Sept. 9, will be a full day of traditional AppleFest fun, including the first annual Whitey’s Memorial AppleFest Car Show on East Main Street in the village from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.. Car show registration ($15) runs from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Proceeds benefit the National Trail School Foundation. Dash plaques will be given to the first 100 registered participants.
“We are very excited to pay homage to Mr. James Russell White, ‘Whitey,’ in the renaming as he was the go-to for the AppleFest car show for many years!” car show organizers said in a Facebook event post. “The shoes are hard to fill but the National Trail School Foundation is looking to come aboard and continue his legacy of putting on an outstanding car show!”
The Whitey’s Memorial AppleFest Car Show is being sponsored by Wallace Heating & Air Inc.
PCCOA Car Show
The Preble County Senior Center will also host it’s cruise-in on Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Preble County Council on Aging starting at 10 a.m. There is a $10 registration fee, (registration is from 10 a.m.-noon) and they are accepting cars, trucks, and motorcycles. DJ CWB will provide music (sponsored by Cigna Healthcare). The PCCOA is offering dash plaques to the first 75 registered, along with a free t-shirt. Awards will be presented at 3 p.m., recognizing the Top 20, Best of Show, Best Paint, Best Interior, Best Engine, Best Truck, Best Motorcycle, Best Rat Rod, Best Corvette, Best GM, Best Ford, Best Mopar, Best Jeep, Best Next Generation, People’s Choice (turn in by 2 p.m.), and Best of 1973.
Gratis Car Show
The Village of Gratis will host its first-ever car show on Saturday, Sept. 9, starting at 11 a.m., with registrations from 9 a.m.-noon. There will be a special opening ceremony at 12:15 p.m., followed by an afternoon of music from four local bands, and fun for the entire family.
The show is a fundraiser for the new Gratis Events Committee to help with funding Gratis’ Bicentennial Park project and future events. The Gratis Events Committee is a group of lifelong residents trying to bring events back to the village and get people involved in the community again.
Awards will be presented at 3 p.m.
The group plans to hold a car show, and hopefully other events, each year.
Car shows will be held Saturday at
•PCCOA Senior Center (10 a.m.-3 p.m.)
•The Village of Gratis (11 a.m.-3 p.m.)
•New Paris AppleFest (9 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on X @emowenjr.
