Sec.288 Geer Road Jewett City, Connecticut 06351
On July 17 & 18, 1993 the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of
Commerce sponsored its annual Antique Auto Auction, Exchange and
Show. This year, as in the previous two years, our club, The
Quinebaug Valley Engineer’s Association Branch 5 of EDGE&TA
was a part of the show. What started out as a few engines and one
or two tractors turned into over 60 exhibits this year.
This year was our first as a member of EDGE&TA, and we had
done a considerable amount of space making for the event. During
the spring and early summer we cleared a new area adjacent to the
car show area for club use. This area is partially wooded and
provides a shady place for displays and also draws people in from
the hot July sun. This year the weather was outstanding, a little
cooler than past years, with just a slight breeze. Over 25,000
people attended the show this year, which is a big plus for a
little club like ours. The exposure to the public eye is what we
are after.
There are over 500 cars on display, including classics, race
cars, muscle cars, and customs. There is a flea market, which
covers a wide range of items from car parts to arts and crafts and
house hold items. There was an extensive food court with a great
array of all different types of munchies. You could spend the day
and not see everything, but you wouldn’t run out of new things
to eat.
On Saturday there was a carnival air due to music provided by
Larry Hall and his beautiful Wurlitzer band organ, an other first
for the show. There was a tractor parade with an excellent
commentary provided by our own Ed Bezanson better known as the
Connecticut Yankee Tractor. The tractor parade was a big success,
so much so that we were requested to run it again so people could
get more pictures. There was a wide variety of engines to be seen
here, including diesels and marine engines. We had several
exhibitors from out of state, including Denise and Wayne McCartney
(Denise’s Video). Denise took videotapes of most of the show,
which will be available from her this Fall. Also on display was a
collection of pedal tractors shown by Bob Geer of Ledyard,
Connecticut. There was plenty to see and do this year.
We are planning a bigger show for next year and already have a
list of exhibitors. Hope to see you there!
