History Of The Past Old Iron & Antique Car Shows.

In July of 1998, The 2nd Annual Old Iron & Antique Car Show was hosted by Lester & Millie McKay at their property in Pennfield.  The show was a huge sucess.  There were antique vendors set up, live music, and lots of food.  Lots of motorists driving through Pennfield stopped to look at the cars and join in the activities.  Ralph McFarlane's partially restored 1947 Ford made its debut. 

The 3rd Annual Old Iron & Antique Car Show was held on July 11th, 1999, with a great turnout, of 100 cars, 15 motorcycles, old tractors and hit and miss engines that registered for the show, each received a dash plaque and ribbon.  The weather was super and everyone had a great time. 

Each year this event gets bigger and better.  Lester had a regular canteen set up  complete with french fries, grill and an antique 7-up cooler so there was no need to go hungry.  While Lester was busy with the cars, Millie entertained the ladies with a bingo game, which raised $202.00 for a local girl that had Lou'Garet Disease, and needed alittle help. 

There were a few vendors set up with some nice parts to sell, a DJ that played 50's music, and announced the door prizes and 50/50 draw.  There were four $25.00 gas draws which went to 4 of the club members.  Parking of the cars, and placing the vendors in their areas was done by Ralph McFarlane, Royden Stewart, and Leon Babineau. 

Lester, Millie, their sons, daughters and other family members go all out to make this an enjoyable day for all.  Everyone that was involved in the show volunteered their time to help make this show the sucess it has become.    

The 4th Annual Old Iron & Antique Car Show was treated good by Mother Nature, it was a beautiful day and the participation of Antiquer's was just as good. 

There were 142 cars registered and 53 motorcycles.  There were ribbons and dash plaques for everyone who participated.  There were also four $25.00 gas gift certificates given out as well.  There was lots of music and entertainment for the day, and a half and half draw that paid $360.00. 

The next Old Iron & Antique Car Show will be a two (2) day event on July 7th & 8th, 2001.  As all the other shows everyone who worked the show volunteered their time to make the show the sucess it has become.

Below:  Lester & Millie McKay

The 5th show was a 2 day event, held in Pennfield.  Saturday was a huge success for the Flea Market Vendors.  There were 76 vehicles showed up for the show on Saturday, and lots stayed over for Sunday as well.  There was live music all day with the "Al Hooper Band", and the "Gary Hooper & Chuck Simms Bands" from Toronto, and Newfoundland, as well as "The Blue Grass Band" with Bryon Gourley.  The canteen was a hit all day and on Sat evening Homemade beans and weenies was served for supper.  There was a 50/50 draw on Sat which totaled $412.50 and was won by Mrs. Luke Babineau from Black's Harbour. 

On Sunday Mother Nature was not so nice, it sure rained hard.  Around 11am the Antique Cars started coming and the show ended up with 148 vehicles altogether.  The local DJ could not set up in the rain so the live bands set up in the Bandstand entertained for the whole day.  There was a 50/50 draw for $314.00 and was won by Gary Corscaddin.

There were some real nice prizes given over the weekend such as 4-$25.00 gas certificates, won by George Burk, Blois Monks, Son Soncher, and Bill Stewart, a pair of Smitty Mufflers won by "Ducky" Son Grant, Dave Stewarts Salmon Farm donated 2 6lb Salmon, Andy Simpson of Simpson's Truck Parts donated 4 meals at the Aquarius Tavern, St. John west, Vance's Auto Supplies, St. George donated car care products, Change of Season's Flower Shop, Pennfield, donated hanging baskets, Lesley's Hair Dressers, Black's Harbour donated 2 hair cuts, Antique Treasurers (Al & Brenda Hooper), St. George donated matching Ladies and Men's watches, Gary Hooper and Chuck Simms donated CD's of their newest albums.  

There was a bingo held which the proceeds of $382.00 was given to the Children's Wish Foundation in Memory of a neighbor of Lester & Millie's, Jessy McClean.  As every other show all the workers volunteered their time to make this show a great success.

This show might be one of the most remembered of all the Old Iron events, as several changes took place.  After the four had hosted a very successful show in 2003, they decided to again join forces, and Lester & Millie's event was reborn.

Not only was this the first time the event had co-organizers, but it also had a new home in St. George.

On the night before the show, it rained hard all night long, and was close to being cancelled until Mother Nature turned things in our favour, and the sun came out that morning and it turned into a perfect day.  This show had a turnout of 75 registered vehicles and a large turnout from the public.  Gary Hooper provided the sound, as well as performed, along with Marvin & Eileen Leeman, Lorna Dixon and others.  There were several nice prizes given out.  Mr. Ricky Nelson won the People's Choice Division with a 1923 T-Bucket, and Mr. Kenny Leeman won the Special Interest Division. 

We received many great comments about this show, and this show gave us the confidence in our efforts to regain this shows former glory.

After Lester & Millie held their show in 2001, they got away from hosting the event in 2002.  In 2003, Wayne Vance & Diana Wilcox, both well known in the area for organizing events, wanted to do something they had never done before, host an Antique Car Show, so who better to contact than the King and Queen of Car Shows, so they teamed up with Lester & Millie and held their first event together, which was called the Alvin Young Memorial Antique Car Show.

This is the first event co-hosted by Lester & Millie McKay, Wayne Vance & Diana Wilcox.  The name came from a lady (Anita Hawkins), who donated a trophy (won by Wade Harris of Canal with his 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix full race car) in memory of her father, who both the couples knew.  This was not only the first show co-organized by both couples, but also the first event held at Thompson Feild, in St. George.  This event had a respectable 57 registered vehicles, and a great turnout from the public.  Each received a dash plaque and ribbon.

The weather was perfect for this event, in this event we added flea market and yard sale tables.  There were several great prizes given out and good food served from the canteen.  Gary Hooper again provided the sound, and performed along with Marvin & Eileen Leeman, Ernie LeBlanc and others.  Wayne Vance was the MC. 

This year the trophies were increased to four (4):  Antique Division 64 and older: won by Phil Brown, with his 1962 Corvette, Special Interest Division 65 and newer: won by Michael Harris with a 1968 Chevy Beaumont, Motorcycle Division: won by Rick Moss with a 1981 VW Trike, and High Performance Division:  won by Wade Harris with a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix Full Race Car.

In this event Wayne & Diana had entries for the first time, a 1963 Pontiac Acadian Canso and a 1987 Pontiac Firebird, they also joined the NBAAC, a supporter of this event.  This show had 98 registered vehicles and a profit of $651.23, which was presented to the Children's Playground Committee for the playground project that is located at Thompson Feild.  The turnout of people from the community and beyond was fantastic.  We would like to thank all those who support our show, the car owners, volunteers, and sponsors, without you this event could not take place.  We hope to see you all in future shows!!