Attendees view UTA professor Bob Woods’ replica 1966 Ford GT40 during the Downtown Arlington Classic Car Show on June 7 at Vandergriff Town Center. It took Woods three years to build the replica.
Get ready to hear some engines rev at the fifth annual Downtown Arlington Classic Car Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Vandergriff Town Center. Hosted by the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation, the free event is set to feature multiple attractions for both adults and children.
Maggie Campbell, Downtown Arlington Management Corporation president and CEO, said attendees can expect to see around 200 classic cars displayed with attractions like the Farmer’s Market, food trucks, Knapp Heritage Park and a kids area. There will also be live music.
Campbell said last year over 5,000 people attended the event, and this year, they expect even more.
“We believe that with the eyes of the world on Arlington a week out from World Cup, we’ll even have more interest in attending,” she said.
Campbell said that over the years, downtown Arlington has given something new for those who come back year after year. The dream park, dog park and farmer’s market have shown the transformation Arlington has undergone.
“This event has become a favorite for both the community and for our downtown businesses,” she said. “It gives us an opportunity to invite folks to come out and celebrate the history of the automobile right here along the Bankhead Highway in the shadow of the Vandergriff building.”
By noon on June 4, car-owning participants must preregister for the show, and each car must be registered separately. Only cars built up to 1980 may participate, according to the event website. Participants are encouraged to arrive early for load-in, which begins at 7 a.m. and will cut off at 8:45 a.m.
No walk-ups will be accepted.
Registration costs $25 with proceeds going to the Arlington Police Foundation. First responders, veterans and seniors can register for free by reaching out to Downtown Arlington Management Corporation for a promo code.
Awards will be handed out at 2 p.m. Judges will select the first and second-place vehicles from each decade to form the overall top ten, best of show, and specialty awards.
Winners will receive custom-made trophies and prizes such as a commemorative license plate, gift certificates, a post-event print, social media recognition and be featured in a future issue of “Arlington Today” magazine.
“Events like this give the community an opportunity to celebrate itself,” Campbell said. “When we can close the street and bring our community together and put our best face forward, it really does allow us to show off our downtown and be the place where both the locals go and visitors love to come.”
@atclements03