2008 Memorial Day Car Show

Memorial Day weekend is typically hot and humid in North Texas. Saturday May 24h was a typical Memorial Day weekend in Irving, but not at First United Methodist Church on Third and Ohio Street! Ohio Street was blocked off and lined with custom, antique, classic and race cars from the present and from days gone by, all vying for a trophy. This was the date for the church's First Annual Memorial Day Car Show and Fun Day on the church campus. Cars, motorcycles, in fact any type of motored vehicle could be entered and voted on. There were dune buggies, race cars, pickup trucks, a world war II jeep and even a fire engine. Promoter Richard Cox of FUMC stated, "there are two things to remember here. One, this is a fund raiser for the church, and two, it's all about fun so the fewer rules, the better." For our first show we had 44 show registrations! Forty-four vehicles and lots of people having fun!

To register a car cost the owner a simple form and five dollar bill. Then anyone could buy voting tickets, 4 for a buck. Each ticket had three categories: Favorite car, Best Paint and Ugly Duckling. The voter would write a car registration number on each one of the three categories and drop a ticket in the ballot box. Voting ran from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. At 2:00 PM the tickets were collected and counted. Winners were chosen for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, Best Paint and Ugly Duckling by popular vote. As Mr. Cox said earlier. "it's a fund raiser for the church". so people were encouraged to buy as many tickets as they wanted to vote for their own vehicle if they so desired. Photos of the winners (and many of the entrants) will follow.

Although it was a bit warm and sticky, we had plenty of shade from our beautiful post oaks and a great breeze throughout the day. Hundreds of people took this opportunity to let the kids have some fun, look at some fine cars, chat with the owners and take a trip down memory lane - back when gas was 10-15 cents a gallon.

The day was built around fun and comfort with an early 60's theme. If anyone got to hot or needed a break, the church doors were open. The church's Youth Department had plenty of cold drinks, hot dogs, burgers and chips for the car lovers, and there were Sunday school classes selling sweets for the sweet tooth, all at yesterday's prices. There fun games for the kids every 30 minutes. They included a Bubble Gum Blowing Contest, a Twist Dance Contest, a Hula Hoop Contest, a Whistling Contest with crackers, a Rope Jumping Contest and a Frisbee Throwing Contest.

It could be the car owners had as much fun as the car viewers. Most everyone sat around in shade of the oak trees and talked about cars and old times together, sharing the good times. I heard many conversations begin with, "I remember when ...". That's a good thing to do on Memorial Day. Stay tuned into our past. Remembering those things that are anchored solid in our past that made us who we are. These where the events and actions that provided us a future. We tell our kids from time to time that nostalgia and remembering is important - as they roll their eyes at us. But as a parent I found it is something that is already there within them. Kids automatically say, "I remember when ..." when the time is right and don't need to be reminded. It's in their DNA. God's plan is perfect in every way!

The FUMC 2008 Memorial Day Car Show Winners

Best in Show--Bob Parrish--1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super

2nd Place (Favorite Car)--Glenn & Marian Herbst--1956 Ford Thunderbird

3rd Place (Favorite Car)--Liz Parks--1934 Ford

Best Paint-Glenn Johnson--1957 Custom Chevy Pickup

Ugly Duckling--David Parks--1974 Plymouth Baracudda

Non-Entry Award - Best Pastor - David Turner, 1955 Thunderbird Hardtop Convertible

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