It will be a trip back in time to the days of sock hops, drag racing, soda fountains and cool cars this weekend at the Washington County Career Center.
These days the cars are considered "classics" but the sentiment is still there - cruise-ins are all about showing off what you've got and having a good time.
The inaugural May Daze event at the Career Center will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of the school located on Ohio 676.
Article Photos
Students at the Washington County Career Center got a sneak peek at a couple automobiles that will be displayed at Saturday’s May Daze car show and cruise-in event at the school. Larry Nicholson of Marietta had his 1968 Dodge Charger (black) and 1972 Dodge Demon (red) at the school Wednesday in preparation for the event.
ERIN
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The
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"We hope that this will be an annual fundraiser," said Steve Porter, transition and placement coordinator at the school. "100 percent of the proceeds will go into our Bridge to Success program."
The Bridge to Success program took the place of the career center's Youth Employment Program, which had been funded by roughly $15,000 a year from the Washington County Department of Job and Family Services. The money was eventually lost to state budget cuts.
"(With this program) we hope to identify and erase any financial, social and educational hardships that might keep a student from completing high school," Porter said.
Fact Box
If you go
What: May Daze at the Career Center.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Washington County Career Center, 21740 State Route 676, Marietta.
Details: Car show, swap meet for car/truck parts, cruise-in, car corral of vehicles for sale, food, prizes, entertainment. The National Guard will display a Humvee and Air Evac medical service will have a helicopter as well.
For information or to register: www.thecareercenter.net/maydaze.
Among the things that the money might be used for are specialized clothing or equipment, automobile repair and down payments for auto insurance to ensure a student can get to and from school, and job training.
"This is just one of many funding sources that will enable us to help at-risk students," Porter said.
The program is estimated to help 40 to 60 students a year from all area high schools who are attending the career center.
The money for Saturday's event will come from registration fees and concessions, according to Porter.
"We will have Brutus and Company Barbecue, which has agreed to donate all proceeds," he said.
Several different makes, models and types of automobiles will be on display with dash plaques going to the first 100 cars.
Larry Nicholson of Marietta is no stranger to car shows. In fact, the Mopar enthusiast has three cars that he enjoys showing and has been a fan since he was a teen.
"I have a 1968 Dodge Charger, a 1972 Dodge Demon and a newer one, a 2008 Challenger," he said, explaining that "Mopar" stands for "motor parts" and is used to refer to Dodge, Plymouth and other Chrysler and related vehicles.
Nicholson plans to take at least a couple of his cars to Saturday's show.
"I think you will find that most car enthusiasts love to support fundraisers and educational things," he said.
A swap meet will also be held where vendors can sell any car, truck and motorcycle parts. Vendors will be charged $10 per table. Those in the market for a classic car or other vehicle can check out the car corral, where individuals will have autos for sale. Sellers are asked to pay $10 for the full day to have their vehicle included in the corral.
Several area businesses have also donated items for door prizes and raffles to be held throughout the day.
Justin Knapp, 17, is a student at the school studying diesel mechanics and he doesn't plan to miss the event on Saturday.
"Oh I will definitely be there," he said. "I like Fords and Chevys but I want to see all the cars and plan to take a lot of pictures."
