DUBLIN (OH) - Silver anniversaries come just once, so organizers for the 25th annual Arthritis Foundation Classic Auto Show and Cruise-In in Dublin, OH, went out of their way to make sure everything was over-the-top. With approximately 1,000 participating cars for Friday’s cruise-in and nearly 1,500 for Saturday’s show, even the scorching summer heat was no match for the record crowds and record fundraising to help central Ohio children and adults suffering from arthritis. Both days finished with outdoor concerts from longtime event participants as Mike Albert showcased his ‘Ultimate Tribute to Elvis’ on Friday while Phil Dirt and the Dozers belted out rock n’ roll oldies on Saturday evening.
Automobiles from all corners of the world filled the Dublin Metro Center business park, occupying pavement, green space, and everywhere in between. Friday’s festival parking gave way to Saturday’s grouping by make or model. Ford Mustangs and Buicks were represented with nearly 100 cars each, while Porsche, Corvette, PT-Cruiser, and many others had closer to 50 vehicles on display in their designated locations. Vintage carriages from the early years shared the stage with high-powered muscle cars, Cold War sedans, exotic sports cars, and modified street rods to give fans of all tastes something to wet their automotive appetite. Unlike other events as large as this however, the quality on display is a signature attraction as much as the numbers themselves. Even more impressive is the regional support because the show is primarily a central Ohio phenomenon. It’s hard to imagine so many cars of such preservation inside state lines, but long-distance travelers are surprisingly few for an event this large.
To help bring in the cars, organizers give away 125 six-foot trophies on Friday to the best rolling stock in attendance, along with class awards on Saturday within the 45 designations. Local car club chapters organize their own ‘show within a show’ and divvy out their own hardware as well. Midway-style food vendors, games for the kids, and live evening music ensure something for everyone.
The homegrown feel helps make it a home run weekend for the local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Net proceeds to the charity are expected to top $165,000 when the last pennies are counted – a new record – making it the foundation’s largest area fundraiser. Over 100 types of arthritis affect 850,000 people in central Ohio, including more than 5,000 children. Second only to heart disease resulting in work disability, arthritis costs the national economy $128 billion annually. The disease inflames joints and deteriorates cartilage, slowing down 46 million Americans each year.
“Everybody knows someone who has arthritis,” said Jim Baker, a 20-year member of the show’s Board of Directors and Concours Chairman for the Jaguar Association of Central Ohio. “It’s a very common cause. People are thrilled to be able to donate to it and enjoy the car show at the same time. Virtually every car you ever owned or wanted to own are all represented here and they are prime examples of them. They are all beautiful cars.” His 32 years of active participation in local Jaguar clubs helped bring nearly 50 Jaguars to the show.
Over 200 volunteers and 60 active committee members are necessary to orchestrate an event of this kind. It’s a year-round effort with a big payoff at the end. “For the most part, the money stays here in central Ohio,” said event Co-Chairperson Andy Trux. “The money goes to programs and services which include education, swimming pool therapy programs such as PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise), and home assessment programs to help facilitate those continuing to live at home on their own. The Arthritis Foundation Gala used to be our biggest fundraiser, but this event surpassed it in 2006.”
The event began in 1982 when Central Ohio AF President Bob Lincoln teamed up with Buick dealer Leonard Immke to create a classic car show benefiting a local charity. Over $50,000 was raised that year, laying the groundwork for unprecedented car show spirit and generosity over the next two decades.
