Vermont Antique & Classic Car Meet

August 15, 2021 — I have a history with the Vermont Antique & Classic Car Meet. Sponsored by Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts, it's always been a sentimental favorite. It was among the first major shows I saw in the early years of my antique car photography retirement hobby, having first attended in 2008. I would loyally appear at the show for the next eleven years in a row, ten at Nichols Field in Stowe, Vermont and one after it moved to its new location at Farr's Field in Waterbury.

I always went on Saturday of the three-day Friday-Saturday-Sunday event because Saturday had the most to offer, a fashion show, parade through the village and street dancing in the evening. My streak finally ended on what would have been my twelfth year when all-day rain was forecast on Saturday. I later learned from a few who had been there that it never rained at all. Thanks a lot, meteorologists, for your accurate forecasting! That was 2019. You all know what happened in 2020. The pandemic forced cancellation of the VAE show along with just about every other gathering of any kind for the season.

This year, with the show returning, rain was again forecast for Saturday. Determined not to be denied my favorite show after missing it for two years, I went on Sunday. Sunday is award day. I suspect many car owners that stand little chance of winning a trophy leave after Saturday, and I was right. The show was somewhat smaller than in the past, but it would have been anyway because the Canadian border was closed because of the still-active pandemic, and the show, not far from our northern neighbor, always hosted a large contingent of Canadians.

But it was good to be back to this Vermont show in its 64th year, one of the oldest car shows in the nation. Highlights of the show were an unrestored 1929 Packard towing a 1930 Curtiss Aerocar found in a barn, a German-built 1935 Ford and a 1903 steam-powered Grout. Click the link below to see my photos of this event which, in spite of its diminished size, is still the biggest show I've seen this year up to now:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/vermont21/

Cruisin' the '50s

August 12, 2021 — With the temperature in the 90s and humidity making it feel closer to 100, with some misgivings I headed for Newburyport, Massachusetts, for their annual Cruisin' the '50s car show, canceled last year like so many others due to COVID. It was indeed hot, with oppressive humidity, but not the hottest car show I've experienced. It was an afternoon/evening show.

The turnout of cars and spectators was somewhat below average for this show, probably due to the heat, but still a well-attended show by any standard. Newburyport has more restaurants per block than any other city I've been in, most of them offering outdoor dining. However, I noticed most outdoor seating was unused, many apparently preferring to be indoors with the air conditioning.

I withstood two hours of the punishing heat and got all the photos I wanted, plus a brief video. You can see it all at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/newburyport21/

Kingston Days

August 8, 2021 — The three-day Kingston Days Fair and Car Show in Kingston, New Hampshire, came back with a roar this summer after canceling last year because of the pandemic. By 10 a.m. on the day of the car show, it was announced they had 400 cars. By 10:30, the field was full and they were turning away cars. Some parked on the street.

I didn't stay for award presentation as I have many times in the past. It was a very hot day, but little did we know what was going to hit us in another couple of days. There were many trophies to give out, so a large number of owners would be glad they showed up.

My photos of the event can be seen at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/kingston21/

The Ice House Museum

August 7, 2021 — I had just learned of The Ice House Museum in New London, New Hampshire, when a Boston TV station did a piece on it. It had antique cars, mostly Fords, and a wide variety of memorabilia from the early 20th Century.

I was fascinated by it, so I drove up to New London to have a look. I had been to New London many times over the years, being a regular patron of The New London Barn Playhouse. I always loved the town, home of Colby-Sawyer College, but never ventured off the main drag. The Ice House Museum is off a side street, so I had never seen nor heard of it. The museum doesn't do much promotion or advertising to make itself known.

The museum houses Bill Kidder's collection of automobiles and Americana in several buildings. There are antique Fords, mostly Model A's and T's, and a variety of tools, toys, auto parts, horse-drawn carriages, a blacksmith shop and much more. Guided tours are available, or you may roam about on your own. I recommend a tour because the information you'll get out of it is invaluable.

You can see photos and a video from my tour, partially guided and partially on my own, at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/icehouse/

Timeless Cars of New England

August 1, 2021 — Some of the finest classic cars you'll ever see in one place showed up for the Timeless Cars of New England Concours d'Elegance at the Vintage Racing Stables in Sanbornton, New Hampshire. Rolls Royces, Packards, Chryslers from the '30s, a Cadillac V16, electric cars from the early 20th Century and an assortment of racing cars were on display. Nothing was behind ropes so you could get a closeup look at every vehicle.

The day was mostly cloudy with occasional breaks of sun. Rain was in the forecast but never came. It was a very pleasant day overall. Pictures at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/timelesscars/

MVMVC Weare Rally

July 31, 2021 — A second day of perfect weather to end a month that set records for rainfall. The Merrimack Valley Military Vehicle Collectors (MVMVC) had a three-day show in a field behind the Center Woods School in Weare, New Hampshire. On display were vehicles from all wars, from Jeeps to huge trucks.

Along with my photos you'll see a video of a 1918 International Titan that chugged along on a kerosene-burning two-cylinder engine. Thousands of them were shipped overseas to help with the World War I battles. Just click on this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/mvmvcrally/

Lakes Region Rotary Car Show

July 24, 2021 — The best photographic conditions in a month greeted us at the Lakes Region Rotary Charity Car Show at Weirs Beach on the shore of New Hampshire's Lake Winnipesaukee, largest lake in the state. The sun shone brightly all day in what had been one of the wettest Julys on record in the northeast. The fine weather brought out car owners and spectators in large numbers, overflowing the parking lots of the former Faro Italian Grille.

I selected a mix of old and new, original and custom, cars and trucks for my web pages. You can view it all at this link:

https:www.linwoodstreet.com/lakesregion21/