2nd Annual AVFD Auto Show

Event held on September 14th, 2008.

Awards:
             100 Trophies including:
              5' Best of Show Trophy - Car
              5' Best of Show Trophy - Truck
              5' Best of Show Trophy - Motorcycle
              5' Best Display Trophy
              5' People's Choice Trophy
              200 Dash Plaques

Entertainment:
                 Vendors, Raffles, Door Prizes, DJ,
                 Bikini Models, Apparatus Display,
                 Contests, Fire Engine "Hose Down"
                 & more.

Sponsors:
                 Mystic Piercing & Tribal Tattoo
                 Tacka Motors
                 Southwestern Car Care
                 Prime Show Management
                 Jim Catterton & Hope
                 Best Buy (Glen Burnie)
                 Emergency Lighting Concepts
                 Buckingham Automotive
                 The Larry Beck Company
                 King's Italian Ice
                 Meguiar's
                 MetLife {J. Baker & J. Lidner}
                 Mothers Polish
                 Delmarva Bikini Team
                 Mike's Pizza of Arbutus
                 www.andysautosport.com
                 Scion Lover

Vendors:
                 TrickedOutDoorz.com

Proceeds Destination:
                 Arbutus Volunteer Fire Dept.
                 -Apparatus Replacement Fund
                 -Building Fund

Number of registered vehicles:   179

On Sunday, September 14, 2008, the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department held its second annual auto show. The fundraiser was a success for the non-profit organization which was able to raise some funds for its fire and rescue apparatus as well as for the station’s building fund. There was a lot of diversity in the types of vehicles that came and supported the event. A couple vehicles were pushing 100 years old, such as a couple of Ford Model Ts, while there was a good amount of late models that had just rolled out of production, such as the new Dodge Challengers that attended. There was a mix of classic vehicles, American muscle cars, import vehicles, and some exotic automobiles as well. The photos are worth a thousand words and show the variety of automobiles that attended. In all, 179 vehicles registered and filled the fire department’s parking lot. There were other vehicles that supported the show and were not registered, such as the Dodge Viper from the Tacka Motors display.

Amidst the scorching heat of the day, spectators and owners were able to enjoy the air conditioned fire department hall, food, Italian ice, snow balls, pit beef, beer garden and other beverages. Several vendors and sponsors supported the event. DJ music and band music was provided by Jim Catterton & Hope. Some fire department members assisted car enthusiasts and the Delmarva Bikini Team in cooling off by spraying a fire engine’s fire hose in a designated area. The Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department’s fire engine and other vehicles made an appearance in the lot to show families. There were a few entertaining contests at the event also. At one point there appeared to be 400-500 people at the event which was staffed by a mere 25-30 members and associates. The fire department auto show chairman stated that the staff was a bit shorthanded due to some unexpected events.

Due to some staffing issues, the award presentation lasted longer than members and organizers had anticipated. However, the 100 trophies, 200 dash plaques, and other items were awarded to the car enthusiasts that supported the event. Event t-shirts were raffled away along with Meguiar’s Wax & Detail Kits and Mother’s Polish & Wax items. Nearly 200 goodie bags were given away that contained items such as tire pressure gauges, samples of automotive interior polishing wipes, pens, additional sponsor items, and automotive pamphlets.

The show was a great hit and many people were very pleased with the turnout of vehicles that attended. Many car enthusiasts were pleased to have such a mix of automobiles that they have not seen before. Some show vehicles that attended had not been revealed previously and many owners claimed they had been trying to get their vehicles finished in time for this show.

Members of the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department have all stated that they are grateful for the support from the community. Most owners, spectators, sponsors, and vendors knew that the event was a fundraiser for a good cause. The organizers of the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department Auto Shows are looking to revamp the structure of the show in order to improve some of the processes. One mentioned idea was to have spectator judging at future shows to eliminate the need for judges and help in the timeliness of the event.

Prime Show Management is actively implementing new standards and ideas to help auto shows of the future. If you have any comments or ideas, please go to the Contact PSM section to be heard. Thank you.