The annual Cars and Guitars Cruz-In isn’t about who has the best, most expensive or most exotic car.
So no trophies or first-place ribbons will be awarded.
Instead, the show, now in its 11th year, serves as a fundraiser to help Seymour Parks and Recreation Department provide playground equipment in city parks for children with physical disabilities.
Just recently, the Cars and Guitars committee presented a check for $3,000 to the parks department from the proceeds of last year’s car show. In all, the event has raised between $60,000 and $70,000 since it began.
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This year’s car show is Saturday in downtown Seymour with registration starting at noon in front of the Seymour Library. Preregistered parking will begin at 2 p.m.
Registration is $15 if preregistered or $20 on the day of the event. Admission is free.
From 7 to 9 p.m., Rick K. and the Allnighters will take the stage for a free rock ’n’ roll concert. People should bring their own lawn chairs for seating.
Gary Colglazier said it’s hard to believe Cars and Guitars is more than a decade old. He has been involved from the beginning.
“It has been a good run, and we’re hoping it lasts longer,” he said. “We feel like it’s a good thing for the city because it brings a lot of people in and helps the parks.”
The car show already has funded new equipment at Shields and Gaiser parks, and committee members would like to be able to purchase similar equipment for Kessler and Kasting parks.
“But it takes $25,000 to $30,000 to purchase more equipment, so we are just putting the money in the parks department account right now,” Colglazier said.
Even though there are no awards, there are plenty of door prizes that are valued at more than $100 each, including a crate motor, a set of tires from George’s of Seymour, Prairie Farms Milk for a year and an autographed John Mellencamp guitar.
There also will be a silent auction consisting of items donated by local merchants.
“The community has been good in supporting this event,” Colglazier said. “We appreciate all of the donations we get from businesses and people in Jackson and surrounding counties.”
The show started when Colglazier, his dad, Dan Colglazier, and others decided Seymour needed a downtown event in the summer that would attract a lot of people.
“We’ve always been involved with cars and thought it would be good for the city to do that,” he said. “We had been to a big weekend car show in Springfield, Illinois, and that was kind of a motivator for us.”
Gary Colglazier said he never knows how many cars will show up. As of Monday morning, about 160 were preregistered. The show is open to all makes and models.
“But I don’t have a favorite,” he said. “I like them all, and it’s neat to be able to see any of them.”
Besides cars and music, there will be food and drinks available to purchase from vendors, such as Miss Piggy’s barbecue pork chops and corn on the cob, lemon shake-ups and Italian ice. Many downtown businesses will be open, too.
A big factor that affects attendance is weather, but organizers are keeping their fingers crossed that it won’t rain.
In the event of rain, the concert will be in the Seymour High School gymnasium.
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What: 11th annual Cars and Guitars Cruz-In and concert featuring Rick K. and the Allnighters to benefit Seymour Parks and Recreation Department
Where: Downtown Seymour
When: Registration starts at noon Saturday in front of the Seymour Library; preregistered parking starts at 2 p.m.; band takes the stage from 7 to 9 p.m.
Cost: $15 for preregistered vehicles; $20 the day of the event. Admission for spectators is free.
Why: Proceeds will be used to purchase and install playground equipment for physically challenged children.
For information or to register: Visit carsandguitarsofseymour.com or call Gary Colglazier at 812-569-8779 or Dan Colglazier at 812-522-3449
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