Verona Car Show set for August 7

Jeff Green | Jul 27, 2016

The Verona Car Show has a much higher profile this year than it has ever had before because, for the first time, it is being held as a stand-alone event.

For its first 20 years the show was one of the events in the weekend-long Verona Festival, but since the festival was closed down this winter because too many of its core volunteers were stepping down, the car show is stepping up to become larger and better than ever before.

The car show is also under new management this year, as its founding organizer, Ed Asselstine, has passed the baton after 20 years to co-managers John and Julie Nizman and Adam Asselstine.

When the car show started in 1995 there were about 50 cars on display, and this year organizers are expecting at least 250 cars to attend.

Judges will be giving out awards in 16 categories, including production year-based categories; foreign cars; modified cars in two categories; modified trucks in two categories, and the ultimate award, the Ed Asselstine Best in Show award.

“One of the appeals of this year's show is the fact that for the low entry fee of $10 per entry, owners of vehicles on display will be eligible for a prize draw of a trip to the Mandalay Bay resort and casino in Las Vegas,” said Adam Vandervelde, when interviewed early this week.

The timing of the trip is important for vintage car enthusiasts, because it coincides with the annual Barrett Jackson car auction in Vegas, the largest consignment car auction in the world. The prize package includes tickets to the auction.

“We've been receiving a lot of enquiries from people who are coming to the show because of that grand prize, and we have other prizes as well,” said Vandervelde.

Registering a vehicle for the show can be done online at Veronacarshow.com and can also be done on site between 7 am and 12 noon on show day.

The Verona Car Show is free to the public. There is a Kids' Zone, which includes the Verona Lions' Club mini-put golf course; rides on the express train; balloon animals; face painting and more. The Kids' Zone has a flat fee of $5. There will also be a vendors' village, as well as a canteen available.

In addition to prizes and draws for participating exhibitors, there are draws for the public on tap as well, in addition to a 50/50 draw.

All proceeds from the Verona Car Show will go to the Verona Community Association, which puts all the money it raises back into the community through: Christmas in the Village; Christmas for Kids; the annual Flower Barrel contest; Music in the Park; the Verona information kiosk; and road signage at both ends of the village.

For further information, go to Veronacarshow.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..