Hundreds of classic cars packed the Elkins City Park for a weekend of friends, family and Independence Day celebrations. Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Robbie Morris said the Mountain State Street Machines Auto Extravaganza was very successful.
"I am extremely pleased with the turnout," he said on Saturday. "People are happy, I couldn't ask for anything more."
Morris said the location of the park and the good weather helped drive the number of cars parked through the Elkins City Park.
Several hundred cars participated in the weekend event. Morris said over 500 cars were registered for the show on Saturday and Sunday, and 233 participated in Friday night's Cruise-In in downtown Elkins.
"We did not have one problem," he said. "Everything went well."
Cars came from all over the state and several people made long trips to participate in the event. Butch Butner drove his 1954 Coverlet Truck from King, North Carolina, to participate in the car show.
"I have one friend that has been coming here for 17 years and another for 15 years," the first time participant said. "It is beautiful here. The scenery coming up here was beautiful."
Butner said he loved the City Park as a location for a car show.
"It is ideal," he said. "I don't think you can go to a car show that is any nicer."
Dale Bush, of Shinnston, brought his 1980 Chevrolet Malibu to the car show for the third year. Bush was spending time shining his car and said the car had a lot of work to the engine.
"This is the most cars I have ever seen here," he said. "It is a great environment. We do a lot of car shows and this one is the most comfortable."
David Zester, of Fairmont, was showing off his extremely rare 1976 Ford Fairlane Cobra with 29,000 actual miles.
He said the car was originally purchased at Kines Motors in Philippi and he was the second owner.
"It is a very rare car," he said. "It has every speed option available by Ford at the time. There is less than a dozen known to exist."
Zester said he has been to every Mountain State Street Machines Auto Extravaganza since it began.
"I am glad to keep coming back to Elkins, I would not miss it for the world," he said. "It is almost like a reunion."
Allan Ice, of Mannington, brought his 2010 Chevrolet Corvette to the show for the fist time. He explained his Jetstream Metallic Blue ride was one of only 207 with that color made in 2010.
"I had no idea there would be this many amazing cars," he said. "It is unbelievable."
Ice has factory build sheets for the car on display in the truck and said the city park was perfect for the event.
Dale Boyles, of Stephens City, Virginia, returned to the car show for his second year with his 1939 Ford 2-door sedan.
"I love it here," he said. "I am originally from Grafton."
Boyles said the park environment, the prizes, plaques and low entry fee is what keeps bringing people back to the car show
"It is a great show," he said. "There are so many cars and each year there are more."
Steve Starky, of Clarksburg, brought his bright pink 1932 Chevrolet to the car show for the fist time.
"It is a good get together of older cars to modern day vehicles," he said. "There are a lot of nice pieces of machinery."
Saturday morning, the Barbour County American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and Mountain Hospice held a "Patriot Walk" to salute military veterans.
"We found out the chamber (Barbour County Chamber of Commerce) was not going to salute to the veterans," Auxiliary President Dorinda Hawker said. "We decided to do this in honor of the veterans."
Approximately 25 people showed up at the Philippi Covered Bridge on Saturday to walk from the Vietnam Veterans Park across the bridge to the Blue and Gray Park across the bypass in Philippi and then through town. People participating in the walk were asked to donate $1.
"We have sold 200 registrations," she said. "We are hoping to have over 300 sold by the end of the day
Auxiliary Unit Secretary Patty Delauder said she helped think of the event to honor veterans.
"I work for Mountain Hospice and take care of veterans," she said. "I wanted to organize something to include the whole community to let all veterans know we appreciate them.
"We have the independence we have today because of them."
Eddie and Jeanie Canterbury participated in the walk to honor family members who have served in the military.
"We came out to support the veterans," Eddie Canterbury said. "This is the first walk and I hope it turns out well."
Jeanie Canterbury said the pair have family who have been in the military.
"We are walking for his (Eddie's) brother," she said. "He was a career soldier and his son is now in the marines in Afghanistan."
Contact Anthony Gaynor by email at agaynor@the intermountain.com.
