Great Barrington — Whether it be Cadillacs, Corvettes, hot rods, or old antique trucks, the Great Barrington Fire Department’s annual car show had something for all car enthusiasts. The event was held on Thursday, August 3 and is an annual benefit for the department’s scholarship fund, dedicated in memory of Rod Mead, who died in 2005. Mead was a retired member of the fire department, and he was also the president and CEO of S&A Supply.
The show was held on closed-off Main and Railroad Streets. According to the department, over 300 cars were entered into the show by their owners from several different states, including Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut. While there was no firm estimate on attendance numbers for the event, the department estimated that thousands of people were at the show.
Fire Department member Terry Chamberland, who was also a co-organizer for the event, said that the event has been held for at least 14 years but was suspended during the pandemic. “People love showcasing their classic cars because they are proud of their investments,” Chamberland said. “Other people love to look and see what they could invest in. As for myself, if I had an unlimited supply of money, I’d buy a 1957 Chevrolet.”
Paul Menin from Ashley Falls brought his 1965 Pontiac GTO Coupe to the show. “I have 15 of them!” Menin told The Edge. “It’s an addiction. It was during our younger generations when these cars came out, and everybody had them.”
“These cars have a way of bringing back everyone’s youth,” Pine Plains, N.Y. resident Al Benson said. Benson brought his 1961 Chevrolet Impala to the show. “I was 11 years old when this car came out, and I loved them,” Benson said. “I couldn’t wait to have one.”
“I love absolutely everything about my classic car,” Shimi Rotches of Great Barrington said of his 1964 Ford Mustang. “It makes me smile every time I bring it to a classic car show. I might be one of the youngest entrants at this show, and I want to continue what the old timers have taught us when it comes to how to keep classic cars alive. In a fast world, we like old stuff because we get a lot of happiness from it.”
While we have to wait until next year for their next car show, the Great Barrington Fire Department continues to take donations for its scholarship fund all year round. Donations can be made to: The Great Barrington Firefighters Association, 37 State Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
