Mr. “Car Show,” Brian Warner and his crew of volunteers, are set to do it again.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, more than 525 cars will be lining the Old Town streets of Seal Beach in a stunningly beautiful display of the “best of the best” in Pre’79 Classic Cars. There will be 30 different categories ranging from Best Woodie to Best American Sports Car, Best Antique, Best Convertible, Best Muscle Car, Best Mustang, Best Modifieds from ’31 to ’57 and let’s not forget that show stopper, the Best In Show.
The city gets into the action with Mayor’s Pick, the Policeman’s Pick and the Fireman’s Pick. Awards will be presented at 2:30 p.m. at Show Central on Main Street with special recognition and much thanks and appreciation being given to the car show Platinum Sponsors, Big Daddy’s Car Wash and Original Parts Group, Inc., and contributing sponsors State Farm, the Sun Newspapers, city of Seal Beach, the Seal Beach Lions and McKenna’s on the Bay.
Also as in recent years, attendees will have the exciting opportunity to see some stellar dragsters. Drag race car historian and dragster driver, Dave Mandella, will once again bring his outstanding collection of record setting dragsters of the ’60s; The Wing Express, once driven by Willy Borsch, and the awesomely finished and restored Shirley Muldowney AA Fuel Dragster. Ms. Muldowney set a world record in 1977 with a “super sonic” 254 mph.
The Seal Beach Lions are again hosting a pancake breakfast and a bratwurst lunch on the Pier, and Vendor Village in Eisenhower Park gives visitors plenty of reasons to browse, eat, and enjoy the scenic scope of the beach and ocean beyond.
A truly fun attraction is the Pinewood Derby sponsored by Cub Scout Pack 116. All preteen girls and boys are invited to enter a car in the derby race and authorized kits are on sale at Knock Knock Toy Store on Main Street in Seal Beach.
Trophies will be awarded for the winners and as a special feature, the winner of the derby will compete with Chamber President Nat Ferguson for a $100 savings bond.
Music will be in the air throughout the day, with Sugah Daddy and IM Triple J at Baytown Realty, The Wilson’s and Kelly Fitzgerald at Hennessey’s on Main Street, Super Lark and King Salmon Band at Eisenhower Park. Strolling Main Street, visitors can buy a commemorative T-shirt (available prior to the show at Javatinis, Bogart’s, Harvey Girls Gallery and Temecula Olive Oil Company), and take advantage of a 50/50 opportunity to win big bucks at the end of the day.
Building on the success of last year, MacKenna’s on the Bay is underwriting the free shuttle service from Alamitos Bay Landing via two Big Red Double-Decker Buses, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering seven hours of continuous service.
Of interest to visitors is a guided tour and a chance to experience our “Mayberry by the Sea.”
And do the businesses of Seal Beach love the car show?(2011) Bogart’s Coffee House: “Definitely one of our most prosperous days in the our eight years in business.” Z Pizza: “A record day. Customers were lined up all the way down the street.” O’Malley’s on Main: “ Revenue was up 18 percent car show day.” Endless Summer: “The merchandise was flying out the door. I’m sure many will come back again.” Art on Glass: “Best of all, a visitor at the car show came back the next week and bought $1,200 worth of merchandise.”
So this “win-win” day is a celebration for everyone: Classic Car owners, the expected 20,000 visitors, and Seal Beach merchants. You all are invited to come and enjoy this “super Saturday.”
For more information, contact the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce at (562) 799-0179 or by e-mail at director@sealbeachchamber.org.
Esther Kenyon is the CEO of the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce.
