Marietta Father's Day Car Show

MARIETTA, OH — The weather couldn’t have been better for today’s Annual Father’s Day Car Show. There were about 125 cars parked on the grass at Muskingum Park today. It brought families and car enthusiasts alike out and about. There was a dizzying variety of vehicles, everything from Model As to new Corvettes.

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“What a show. It was a great day, it all came together.” Steve McCarthy is President of the Marietta Noon Lions Club. “And Chairman of the Annual Father’s Day Car Show.”

The last two years haven’t been great for the car show. Obviously last year they were shut down like everyone else due to the pandemic. But the year before that they were completely rained out. “So it was really good for our morale to have a successful project.” He said they really wanted a win today, and they got one. “We’re a service organization and for this to go off like this is a real shot in the arm for us.”

There were no winners and losers, this was not a judged show. In the past, the Annual Father’s Day Car Show was a judged event, but McCarthy and the Lions moved away from that. He said someone always felt shortchanged. “The feedback I’m getting lately is that they really want to see a judged show again.” He says they are entertaining the idea of doing a judged car show next year and giving out some trophies.

That being said there were door prizes and a 50/50 drawing. “Some people walked away with some nice cash in their pocket.”

McCarthy said they see a lot of the same faces every year. “It was like a family reunion for me.” He says the cars are almost just an excuse to get a lot of folks together with a common interest so they can talk cars. “It’s just so fun.”

Tom Clark made the trip from Jackson County. He has a towing company called Clark’s Body Shop in Wellston, OH. “We go to all the major car shows.” He said it’s a great reason to get out and hang out with good people.

Gene Conkell brought a ‘76 red Cadillac Coupe de Ville, “29,000 original miles.” He said they come out every year. “We always like to support the Lions Club. They have a good organization and do a lot of good.” He said he was comfortable calling the car show a success. He said they would be coming back. “We’ve come here every year for the last 20-years.”

McCarthy said this is a community service project for the Marietta Noon Lions Club. “We don’t try to make huge dollars here. We try to break even.” He says they’ve done that and then some today. “So we can put money back into sight-saving, community and youth, diabetes, pediatric cancer, and all the things we like to support.” He said this isn’t meant to be a fundraiser. “This is for fun! This is for people to come out and have a good time and have something to do.”

McCarthy did want to plug their French fry trailer, which is where they do a lot of their fundraising. “The Marietta Noon Lions Club has been known for our delicious French fries. We serve French fries, soft drinks, hot dogs, kielbasa at fairs and festivals around.” That trailer will be raising money for good causes at most major Marietta events.

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