By Staff
As auto enthusiasts from across Michiana and even Honolulu, Hawaii, travel to historic downtown Dowagiac for this Saturday's Rod and Roll Classic Auto Show, they'll be greeted by nearly $4,800 in cash prizes, trophies, door prizes and goodie bag merchandise.
"Our business community has been very generous to us, which speaks well of our festival," said Vickie Phillipson, program director of the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority.
"Twenty-two corporate sponsors have combined to fund an estimated $2,635 in cash prizes, trophies and dash plaques, plus the 2006 collectible coffee mugs that will be presented to auto participants this Saturday," Phillipson said. "Another 47 businesses provided us with an estimated $1,597 in door prizes, which will be given out throughout the day, and an estimated $500 in goodie bag merchandise."
The 16th annual auto show of the Chamber of Commerce is being chaired this year by Curt and Debbie Rohdy and Ron and Brenda Shrout, with staff assistance provided by Phillipson.
Businesses that donated door prizes for the event, as of Wednesday afternoon, included: Ameriwood Industries, Auto Zone, Bakeman Barbers, Benny's Barber Shop, Booth's Country Florist, Caruso's Candy Kitchen, D&R Sports, Dowagiac Auto Body, Finishmasters of Kalamazoo, First Choice, Frese's Discount, Front Street Winery, The Hairitage, Hale's Hardware and Homespun Memories.
Door prizes were also donated by: Image Publications, Imperial Furniture, Judd Lumber Co. and Rental Center, Lane Automotive of Watervliet, Laurie Anne's, Majerek's Hallmark, The Manor Mini Mart, Marci's Variety Store, Mr. K's Wearhouse and Embroidery, R&B Total Performance of Niles, Olympia Books, Sears, Pamida, Ridge Napa Auto Parts, Saylor's Front Street Pizzeria, Suite Dreams, Wurth USA of New Jersey, Vincent J. Jewelers, The Wren's Nest and Zeke's Restaurant.
Merchandise for the 250 goodie bags, which are given out to the registered auto owners, will include items from: Fifth Third Bank, Guy Eby Insurance Agency of Cassopolis, Image Publications, Jim D's Body Shop, Michiana Auto RV Trader, Preferred Printing, Ridge Napa Auto Parts, State Farm Insurance and Year One of Georgia.
Corporate sponsors of the event are: Barry's Automotive, Best of Show; Steinman's Shell, best antique; Flint's Auto Repair, best street rod; Jim D's Body Shop, best custom car; Sunray Restorations, best 50s/60s classic; John and Curt's Brake and Alignment, best old truck; Beeson Street Bar and Grill, best new truck; Dominion Deals on Wheels, best Chevrolet; Dowagiac Auto Service, best GM muscle car; Heartland Chrysler, best Mopar and Jeep; Creative Vinyl Signs, best Ford; Chet Nichols Inc. Auto Parts, best sports car; Laurie Anne's, best motorcycle; Pizza Hut, best custom motorcycle; 3G's Body Shop, best 70s/80s; and Butler's Tree Farm and Campground, best altered vehicle.
Phillipson said auto show participants will also compete in a scavenger hunt that awards a $25 Universal Dowagiac Gift Certificate to the winner; and in-store games and prizes presented by Caruso's Candy Kitchen, The Hairitage, The Marshall Shoppe and The Wren's Nest.
Auto show participants and the public can also register to win the Chamber's August Shopping Spree Give-away at the following host sites: Homespun Memories, Imperial Furniture, Laurie Anne's, The Marshall Shoppe, Underwood Shoes, Vincent J. Jewelers, Windy Acres Nursery, The Wren's Nest and Judd Lumber.
The Rod and Roll Classic Auto Show is one of seven seasonal events and promotions which the Chamber hosts each year.