Cruise into Conestoga for a collection of classic car shows.

First Responders Friends, a local nonprofit organization, will hold three activities this summer leading up to its annual event in September.

Cars and Cones will be held on Fridays, June 20, July 18, and Aug.15, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Safe Harbor Park, 5365 River Road, Conestoga. The events will be canceled if it rains.

Participants must make a donation of a nominal set fee, which includes two bowls of ice cream and two bottles of water. People typically bring an antique or classic car, but any vehicle is permitted. There is no registration.

There is no charge for visitors to view the vehicles, and ice cream will be available for sale.

"It's as much a community event as it is a car show," said Bob Heckrote, who is the secretary of First Responders Friends. "It's a Friday-night get-together for socialization. It's something we thought would be nice, plus it's a fundraiser because our purpose is to be able to support our local first responders with whatever needs they have."

The first Cars and Cones event was held last summer. "It was a success," said Heckrote. "People liked it, so we thought we would try three times this year." Brookfield Renewable, which owns Safe Harbor Park, allows the group to use the property, as well as electricity and ice.

First Responders Friends supports the Conestoga Volunteer Fire Company, West Willow Fire Company, Lancaster EMS, and the Pequea Township Police Department.

"Our main objective is to raise money for first responders," said Rich Graham, who is the group's president. "The second one would be to be community minded."

Graham is also on the board of directors of the Conestoga Volunteer Fire Company and captain of the fire police, in addition to serving on the Conestoga Township zoning hearing board.

"Now that I'm retired, I'm just trying to give back to the community and bring people together," he said. "Everyone in the group is the same way. They just want good things happening in our community."

Nate Heisey, Diane Lefever, Mike Keiser, Joel Hertzog, Melanie Scheid, and Jason Sweigert are also members of First Responders Friends.

"Everybody volunteers their time and resources, and members come from different backgrounds, which gives us different resources," said Heckrote.

Several other people assist with operating events. "We are always looking for people who want to be on the board or help out with the things we have," said Graham.

Meetings are held at Graham's home in Conestoga on the first Thursday of every month except December. Call Graham at 717-917-6500 for more information.

First Responders Friends was founded approximately 15 years ago, and Graham joined shortly thereafter. It was originally Friends of Southern Regional Police before the name changed after there was no longer a regional police force.

First Responders Friends either fulfills specific requests or makes monetary donations. The group has purchased flashlights and a sign that indicates a vehicle's speed for the police department and even bought a police car soon after the organization was founded.

The group hands out candy on Halloween and supports the Pequea Township and Conestoga Township National Night Out events.

"We try to get involved with as many community things as we can," Graham said.

First Responders Friends' biggest activity is the annual Conestoga Classic Car Show. The 12th edition will be held on Main Street in Conestoga on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Registration will be required for that event, and people can sign up starting in July.