This show has always been known for its humor, with comic entries, mannequins, etc. This year there wasn't so much of that but still a show with wide variety, with late models and all the years going back to the Model T, Model A and my favorite, a 1913 Buick.
So I'll stop talking and let you begin admiring the automotive history represented in this fine gathering:
As it turned out, they got the whole show in before rain began. I ended up with only 38 photos, but this relatively small local show tends to draw many of the same cars year after year, and this season I'm making a conscious effort not to include cars I've photographed many times. In spite of that, there are still a few repeats, but also a few rare surprises. You can breeze through the series in a few minutes at this link:
This hill climb is a reenactment of the first one in 1908. Today, many restored racing cars from that time period participated. I got photos of most of them as they lined up for the start line. My hunch the start would have the best photo ops didn't exactly pan out. Being forced into a jam of spectators in a roped-off area made it nearly impossible to get a good camera angle. However, I did get about 45 seconds of video showing a couple of cars charging noisily up the hill.
Next, I strolled along Main Street where more antique cars and craft displays were set up. Following that, I took a shuttle back to the high school where yet another car show, this one featuring a couple of hundred cars, was in place in the high school's spacious parking areas, along with a good-sized craft fair.
Photos and a video of my long day at this varied event, spread over several miles, can be seen at this link:
https://www.linwoodstreet.com/wilbraham/
A 10-minute drive south to Yankee Candle Village found that partially shut down. The former main building is closed and vacant, as is the popular Christmas Shop with its beautiful Christmas displays. However, the grounds with their many flowers are still well-kept. A former full-service restaurant has been replaced by a pizza parlor. I took a few photos around the reduced village which I added to the truck series. You can see it all at this link:
By the time I arrived, there were already a few dozen Model A's at the farm. More would arrive, and the final tally was 101, one more than their goal. Of course, I didn't photograph all of them, just a sampling of the more interesting in terms of condition, color, style, etc., at least in my opinion There were other makes, including several classics of the '30s through '50s that apparently belonged to the farm.
I don't have much information on the Bean Farm. It doesn't appear to be a working farm. There were no animals and no evidence of gardens. There was no admission charge, no one greeting car owners or spectators, no one directing traffic. Signs identified areas as "Old Car Parking" or "New Car Parking." A sale of raffle tickets was the only money collected. A large buffet was served, all free. That was unprecedented. I have never before found free food at a car show, or anywhere else for that matter.
The day was cool and overcast, but the rain held off until the show was over. You can view my coverage of this rather unusual event at this link:
