Townsend's Internationally Renowned Car Show
Author: Staff Reporter
Townsend's Internationally Renowned Car Show
MT43 News Staff Reporter
Townsend is our little corner of the Last Best Place, so you can imagine the surprise when Jack Klara saw an article in the international magazine “Hemmings” about the Townsend Fall Fest car show. Hemmings is a magazine for car guys (and gals) that features all things to do with vintage and classic cars. Jack brought this article to my attention, so we are reprinting the editorial that was written by Russ Voorhees of Townsend and recently printed in the Hemmings magazine.
Here in Townsend, Montana, we have a car show the first weekend in October to celebrate the harvest (Octoberfest). It has been drawing over 300 cars each year and seems to be growing. Our main street, Broadway, which is actually part of US Highway 12, is closed on that Sunday to accommodate all the vehicles that attend. There is a booth in the middle of all this activity playing all sorts of music, and as Pat indicated, it adds to the festivities. They even grant requests (within reason, I’m sure). Here are a few of the tunes that go well with car shows: “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins; “Runnin’ on Empty” by Jackson Brown; “Long Line of Cars” by Cake; “Driver’s Seat” by Sniff ‘n the Tears.
I am a retired aircraft mechanic by trade, but a car guy, as well, and the airport used to host an airshow every July 4th. I knew that lots of folks who attended did not care that much about airplanes, so I offered an alternative in my hangar. I held a Pinewood Derby using a 28-foot, three-lane track that I’d made. It was a huge hit. Folks were asked to bring a car of their own, or they could rent one from my collection. All of the rental money went to the prizes for the winners. I have two CDs of car music that played in the background. The tunes listed above were among the many songs.
If you happen to be in the Great State of Montana in early October, drop in at the car show and visit. There’s no charge. I’ll be near my black 2013 ZL1 Camaro!
