Great Pumpkin Classic Car Show rolling into town

A passion for cars that began even before Paul McClorey of Howell got his first driver’s license has quickly grown into a benefit for the Livingston County Salvation Army that has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the organization.

McClorey, the owner of Paulson’s Construction, has watched the Great Pumpkin Classic Car Show grow from 38 vehicles at the first show to over 250 expected to cruise in this year.

The Great Pumpkin Classic Car Show, set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Tanger Outlet Center on Burkhart Road in Howell, will feature classic cars, rat rods, and lots of family fun.

The event has grown greatly, as has the distance owners travel to show off their vehicles. This year, cars are coming from as far away as Indiana and Canada.

The first car show took place at the Paulson’s Construction office on Grand River Avenue in Howell. The event was a huge success and attendance quickly got to be too great for the location; a bigger venue became a necessity. McClorey turned to the popular Tanger Outlet Center, working closely with its manager, Steve Schuknecht, to put on a fun show.

The event, which has raised upwards of $23,000 over the last three years, has an ambitious goal of raising at least $15,000 for the Livingston County Salvation Army this year.

There will be a 50/50 raffle, a deejay, door prizes and awards. New to this year’s event is a poker run in which drivers pay $5 a vehicle for the chance at a winning hand by picking up cards from seven different locations. When the drivers return to the Tanger Outlet Center, the driver with the best poker hand wins $100.

The event also features an old-fashioned, family drive-in movie experience. In conjunction with the Howell Area Recreation Authority, “Cars” will be shown on an inflatable screen from 7-9 p.m. Admission is $5 a car.

If you’re interested in showing a vehicle at the Great Pumpkin Classic Car Show, registration is $20. You can download the registration form by clicking here.

If you just want to check out all the cool cars, admission is free.

Every single penny raised at the event goes directly to the Livingston County Salvation Army.

McClorey’s first vehicle was a 1974 Trans Am, which he bought at 16 for $1,500, even before he had his driver’s license.

“I had to learn to fix it,” he said.

This year, he’ll be showing off his ’51 Ford panel truck.

For more information on the Great Pumpkin Classic Car Show, click here

For more information on the Livingston County Salvation Army, click here.


DON’T MISS A BEAT

Sign up for our weekly newsletter

We don’t spam!

Sharing is caring!

Maria Stuart worked at The Livingston County Press/ Livingston County Daily Press & Argus as a reporter, editor and managing editor. These days, she runs The Livingston Post.