For the eleventh straight year on a Sunday in September, the parking lot at Orchard Beach is going to be filled with beautiful, classic automobiles.
In what has become one of the most anticipated and attended events in the entire borough, the 11th Annual Classic Car and Motorcycle Show will be held this year on Sunday, September 18 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Hundreds of people gather in the Orchard Beach parking lot every year to see some of the most prized cars and motorcycles of all makes and models in New York City’s largest one-day car show.
This year, sponsor Eastcoast Classic Car Association is expecting their biggest show yet, with approximately 2,500 classic cars and motorcycles ready to be admired by attendees.
“The parking lot is always filled with some of best cars ever seen,” said John Monsolino, event co-organizer. “Every year, we promise the best cars, vendors, entertainment, and special guests at any car show.”
In total, the car show averages about 15,000 guests who either come to show-off their vehicles, or join to watch and enjoy the festivities. As always, a special edition classic car will be raffled, and this year’s prize is a 1965 Cadillac Calais. There will be 500 raffle tickets sold at $50 each.
One of the most popular events of the car show, the Ground Zero Motorcycle Run, is also returning this year in honor of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Approximately 700 to 1,000 motorcycles are expected to join the ride from Orchard Beach, down to the World Trade Center, and then back again to the show.
According to Monsolino, this year’s long list of special guest celebrities and athletes is going to be a surprise for guests, who are normally told in advance who will be at the show.
“The show is bigger and better every year, so we can certainly promise that we have star athletes and stars of the silver screen coming to join us,” he said. “We look forward to this every year, so we just urge everyone to come out and have a good time.”
Dozens of specialty vendors will be present, such as a variety of food, clothes, jewelry, and auto parts and services. Musical entertainment will be provided by DJ Serg of DJ Serg Entertainment.
Car show founder Joe Caldwell, a former NYPD highway patrolman, first began the event right after September 11, 2001 as a fundraiser for the families of the victims who lost their lives. Ten years later, the show is still going strong, and proceeds continue to be donated to the Widows and Orphans of 9/11 Fund.
Proceeds will also be donated to various children’s organizations, such as The Chrissy Foundation, St. Mary’s Hospital and Little People of America.
Tickets for the car show are $10 per spectator, $20 per car entered, and an additional $10 for anyone participating in the motorcycle run. The rain date for the car show is Sunday, September 25.
