Do I have a car show obsession?

Do I have a car show obsession?

Not really. I’d rather call in an intense interest in going to look at cool vehicles and taking photos of them.

Here’s my story of how this “intense interest” came about….

For many years, there was a car show in Rockwall, Tx that I always wanted to attend. However, the weekend it was held, every year, was the same weekend my wife produced a music event that I helped with. Every year, I would see the ads and think “maybe next year it will be held on a different weekend, and I’ll be able to check it out”. As it turns out, I was never able to attend.

In 2017, I found out a car show was going to take place in downtown Wylie, Tx. It was part of Bluegrass on Ballard, which was connected to that year’s July 4th celebration. Not only did cars line the street through downtown, but there was music, craft vendors and more. Music? Of course, there was music since it was named Bluegrass on Ballard.

When I found out about Bluegrass on Ballard, I thought maybe I can make it out to this car show. Sure enough, I was able to attend. And I’ve been every year since.

I’ll make sure to have a link to the event in the show notes. If you’re free that weekend, make sure to attend. (Bluegrass on Ballard in Wylie, TX)

Well, after Bluegrass on Ballard, I started looking for car shows close to where I live. Which led me to Mustang Sally Products which I talked about in an earlier episode. They produce some great shows in the North Dallas area, including some close to where I live. The link to their website is mustangsallyproductions.com.

They produce a show about one time a month in Murphy, TX and once a season at the Bass Pro Shop in Garland, TX. Since these are close to where I live, and because of being busy with family stuff, these are the shows I usually attend. I almost forgot, there’s an annual show on Main Street in Royse City, TX that I’ve been to the last two years which has a lot of rides on display. Every time I go to one of these shows there are great looking vehicles displayed and the events easy to get to.

I don’t have a hot rod, muscle car or classic vehicle. What I do have is a 2000 Toyota Tacoma pick up. I guess my truck could be described as a survivor. With low miles for a twenty-year-old vehicle and still looking good, that’s what I’m calling it.

This year I started thinking about entering my truck in a show. Not to try to win anything, but to be a part of the experience and meet people.

Well, at the first of May, Mustang Sally Productions put on a show next to PSA in Murphy, Tx and I decided to enter and see what happened.

I got there early and was told to park anywhere I wanted. Since it was going to be a hot day, I found a space next to some shade and that’s where I set up. And the people around me were great to visit with. One couple had two Camaros. You know, his and hers. Another fellow was young and had a Kia Soul. I was glad to see that the younger generation is still interested in cars.

The lot was filling up and you could tell who regulars by the way they chose their spots. Several people made sure to park next to their friends.

Throughout the afternoon, the public was encouraged to vote on all the cars and trucks displayed. After the judging ended and votes tallied, and award would be given for vehicles entered in a specific class. Not only did the public vote, but the people who entered their cars and trucks got to vote as well.

It’s really quite a task to go through and look at each car or truck entered and pick the best one for each class entered in. I mean, there are up to about 30 different classes to register in along with ten best of class awards to be given out. 

After all the votes were turned in and the staff tallied the results, they began to announce the winners.

People gathered around the tent where Mustang Sally had set up their tent and started handing out awards. Of course, I went up just to see what awards were handed out for the different classes. Much to my surprise, they called my name and I tied first place in the category I entered. I received an award for “2000 newer truck”.  Man was I pleased and surprised. What a great experience!

Whether you’re a car guy/gal or not, if you live in the Dallas/North Dallas area, make sure you check out Mustang Sally Production’s events. You’ll get to enjoy looking at some fantastic rides and talking with the great people that own them. They would love to talk with you about their cars, trucks and motorcycles. 

If you’re not around the DFW area and you would like to find a show to attend, ask around to find car shows in your area and go to one and take your family. It will be a great time to see some well taken care of older cars along with some newer muscle cars. This would be a great way to do research for a future project on dream car.

Maybe you have a car, truck, or motorcycle you could enter. Put it on display in a local car show and tell the story of your ride. Who knows, you might get an award you weren’t expecting.

What’s on coming up next on My First Ride? I’m constantly searching for people that would enjoy telling the stories of their first rides and how their lives were influenced by them.

And I bet you probably know someone that would be a great guest for My First Ride Podcast, right? Let me know a little about them and their, story.

What about telling your story on the podcast? Let me know a little about you and first ride.

Check us out and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcast and more. And of course, you can also go to the website at MyFirstRidePodcast.com.

One final thought….

You may not have your first ride, but you still have the memories. It’s time to share them.

Contact me if you have questions regarding today’s podcast or would like to be a guest on My First Ride Podcast. Send an email to [email protected].

I’m Gary Neidert and you’ve just experienced My First Ride Podcast.

Thanks for listening. Thanks for watching.

P.S. Go to My YouTube channel to see the video of the plaque I received.