40th Bennington-Hemmings Car Show Underway

12:00AM / Friday, September 15, 2006

1931 Model A Ford owned by Peter Crosby

Pownal, Vt. - Those with a passion for vintage or classic vehicles may not want to miss the 40th annual Bennington-Hemmings Car Show, which opened on Sept. 15 at the former Green Mountain Race Track grounds. The event concludes at 5 p.m. Sept. 17.

This year's care show is dedicated to the memory of longtime car show Administrator Mike Williams, a former executive director of the Bennington Chamber of Commerce who died unexpectedly earlier this year.

The "car field," which is the vintage vehicle exhibition area, will be opened on Sept. 16 at 8 a.m., and remain open until 5 p.m.. Fields re-open on Sept. 17 at 8 a.m..

The car show "kitchen" opens at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

One old car

A Sept. 16 tractor pull is scheduled for 1 p.m., a Sept. 17 tractor pull is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m..

The show hosts numerous vehicle classifications, including 1935-1942 Fords, 1935-1942 "non-Fords," 1946-1952 Mopars, 1953-1960 general Motors, and 1952-1962 Corvettes and 1963-1981 Corvettes. truck, military vehicle, fire apparatus and "woodies" are also included as part of the vehicle show. Factory "muscle cars" and motorcycles are expected to be on exhibit as well.

Admission is $7 per day per person, with children under age 12 admitted free.

An on-site flea market will feature vendors selling car parts, crafts, jewelry, collectibles, and other items. Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, sausage and pepper sandwiches, french fries and soft drinks are being sold on the premises.

Vehicle judging is scheduled to begin on Sept. 17 at 10 a.m., and any vehicle to be judged must be on the field by 11 a.m..

Bill Jakubowksi of the Northshire Lions Club was among the volunteers who staffed a car show "kitchen" on Sept. 15.

Vehicles to be judged must have a judging sheet visible; the sheet must include the vehicle owner's name, vehicle number, and owner address as well as year, make, and model of the vehicle. Vehicle hoods must be up on all vehicles that are open to judging. An awards presentation is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sept. 17.

Wendy Chenaille and Lisa Souls of the Bank of Bennington volunteered their time to work at a Bennington-Hemmings Car Show food tent.

The car show is co-sponsored by Hemmings Motor News and the Bennington Chamber of Commerce. This marks the second year that the event has been hosted by the Green Mountain Park, which is owned by Progress Partners LLC..