Go, Greased Lightnin’!

The Street Dreams Car Club’s eighth annual Autumn Daze Car Show
Sunday made Main Street nearly impassable – even by foot – most of
the day and brought in more than 200 participants, organizers said
Sunday night.

This year’s car show theme, “Greaser Weekend,” was chosen to
coincide with the 125th anniversary celebration for American
Refining Group Inc., car club president Gary Hoy said. Many
participants did their best to fit in with the theme; ladies wore
poodle skirts and Elvis memorabilia was on display.

Freddy and the Jets -ðwho performed most of the day Sunday, as
well as Saturday night at Veterans Square for the car club’s
Dancin’ in the Streets pre-car show mixer – provided the soundtrack
for the trip back in time.

About 400 people came out for Saturday’s dance, which became
part of the car show event six years ago, Hoy said.

He and his wife, Candy Hoy, who also helps organize the event,
told The Era after the show there were about 230 registered
vehicles and probably another 20 that came in late.

Hoy said about 2:30 p.m., ARG President and Chief Operating
Officer Harvey Golubuck made an appearance at the car show, where
he was entertained with a “Blues Brothers” song about ARG and
simulated “gushers” that were all part of the show.

“He loved it,” Hoy laughed. “He wants a copy of the song.”

All told, the club gave away 112 trophies Sunday, he said. The
Best of Show went to Bud Sanders of Asheville, N.Y., and his 1926
Ford Model T.

Sanders said at the show that he’s owned the Model T for 25
years and built it himself. He used to take it to shows more
frequently than he does now, he said, but the car has still brought
home two Best of Shows already this year. He went on to say he
would be back for next year’s Autumn Daze.

The Spectator Pick, which is selected through a dollar-a-vote
process, went to John Reed of Bradford. The first ever Best Wheel
Award went to Gale Pentz of Clearfield for a Nissan 350 Z. The Best
Orphan -ða car that’s no longer manufacturedð- went to Paul
Rebischer of Salamanca, N.Y., and his 1941 silver Packard. The
Susan Evens Memorial Award, which goes to the car that is “pure
stock,” went to Vern Vosburg of Farmersville Station, N.Y. and his
1955 Mercury Monterey. The Barb Race Memorial Award, sponsored in
memory of Marv Race’s late wife, goes to the best Buick, Hoy said,
and this year that vehicle was a 1960 Buick Convertible owned by
Henry Smith of Kersey.

Motorists and vehicle enthusiasts came from all over to
participate in Autumn Daze, including residents of Virginia,
Maryland and many cities in Pennsylvania and New York state. Hoy
said there were at least four people in attendance Sunday who had
won Best of Show during Autumn Daze in previous years.

The Little Miss Street Dreams contest winner this year was Katie
O’Neill, daughter of Natalie and Chuck O’Neill of Bradford.

First runner-up was Hannah English, daughter of Rebecca and
Terry English of Randolph N.Y., and second runner-up went to Hannah
Hogand, daughter of Ron and Jennifer Hogand of Bradford.

Also attending the Little Miss Street Dreams portion of the show
was last year’s winner, Olivia Goodwill, daughter of Brenda and
Dean Goodwill of Smethport, and “Barbie,” played by Chloe Nickel of
Derrick City, a student at Bradford Area High School. Bradford City
Police Officer Mike Close escorted Barbie, and drove the vintage
patrol car during the crowning ceremony.

Hoy said the contest garnered about $1,500 for Make-a-Wish this
year.

“We’re very proud of all 13 girls,” Candy Hoy said. “It is a
team effort.”

The Hoys also credited Francis “Tubby” and Honey Colella for
being motivating forces in pulling the car show off.

“I go to them with an idea,” Hoy said, “and they make it
happen.”

“The nucleus of Street Dreams is great, too,” he added. “The
show has come a long way in eight years.”

Hoy said the only real “sad part” about the event is that if it
grows any bigger, the club will have to consider moving it off Main
Street because of the space issue.

“As tired as we are right now,” Candy Hoy said, “When you’re
doing something you love, people can tell. They want to be part of
it.”