Borough to present first car show

The Borough of Christiana will present the Cruisin' in Christiana Car Show on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 17 Green St., on the grounds of the William P. Brinton House. Registration will open at 1 p.m., and the show will take place from 2 to 5 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will benefit four nonprofit organizations: the Christiana Fire Company, the Christiana Historical Society, Moores Memorial Library and the Christiana Lions Club.

"The library will have a table with grab bags for the kids with coloring books and crayons," noted Shawnie Betts, a member of the Christiana Lions Club and one of the car show organizers. The fire company will provide attendees with an opportunity to win prizes, and representatives from the Lions Club and the historical society will be on hand throughout the day.

Betts said that all makes and models of vehicles are welcome at the first-time event. "We would love to have tractors or old fire trucks," she said. "We will have an ugly duckling prize and a fan favorite (as voted on by attendees). "Christiana Mayor Mark Carner does custom interior work, and he is sponsoring a prize for best (car) interior."

Music will be provided by The 45 Guy. "He will spin vinyl records, and he's a car guy," said Betts.

Food trucks that will be on hand include Butch's BBQ, which will offer hamburgers, french fries, sausage sandwiches and pork barbecue sandwiches, and the Softie Whirl ice cream truck.

Betts explained she came up with the idea to hold a car show after visiting with Christiana borough manger Bobbi Maser. "Bobbi said we should offer more (activities) for the community," said Betts, who is the manager of Britain Hill Venue & Vineyard. "We brought the idea to the mayor and borough council for approval. They thought it would be good use of the space."

An organizing committee has been planning the event for the past several months. Jenn Semple, the borough's administrative assistant, designed the car show poster and helped with fundraising.

Vehicle owners who register in advance will receive a discount. Registration forms are available at the Christiana Borough office, 10 W. Slokom Ave. Same-day registrations will also be accepted.

Betts said that community events are what make small towns so attractive to residents, citing the annual Christmas in Christiana event. "That is what sold me on this town. I love a close-knit community," she said. "With Christmas in Christiana, (it makes) you believe in Santa all over again."

For more information about the car show, call the borough office at 610-593-5199, visit http://www.christianaboro.org/news-announcements or search for "Christiana Borough" on Facebook.