CAR SHOWS DRAWS 1,000 ON WAY TO BECOME A CLASSIC
By Jesse Buchanan, Special to the Herald

NEWINGTON - More than 1,000 people came out to Market Square on Thursday night to see the classic cars lining the street - so many people that visitors' vehicles were triple-parked at the end of the road.

The turnout for the Cruising Newington Classic Car Show was surprising for a first-time event - and even more so considering there was a car show in Middletown that night.

"I would have been happy with 100 cars," said Chet Camilleri of Connecticut Street Legends, a classic-cars club that helped run the event, handling parking and giving out awards at the end of the night. About 150 classic-car owners showed up, with many club members among those showing off their cars at the event, which was organized by the Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Price Chopper.

"I don't think anyone expected this big of a turnout," Mayor Rodney Mortensen said. The mayor brought a 1970 Buick Skylark Convertible.

The weather aided the turnout - the night was as clear as organizers could have hoped. Local businesses were packed, and businesses such as Vito's Pizzeria and the insurance company GEICO bought space in booths set up along the street.

Jeff Dorman, of Market Square's Performance Mortgage, took advantage of the large crowd. "I don't have any cars [in the show], but I've got a couple of mortgage brokers," Dorman said. He had set up a booth in front of his office.

The event was conceived late last summer by the Newington Chamber of Commerce. "We were thinking, 'What else we could do for our businesses?'" said David Johnson, Director of the Chamber. He said a car show seemed a good way to promote businesses in Market Square and elsewhere, including businesses at the booths. It is planned to be an annual event.

The event ran 5:30 to 8:00 PM. Eight awards were handed out at the end, with a 1967 Chevy Camaro convertible winning the Mayor's Choice Award.

Pete Hoffman, owner of a 1965 Chevy Impala, was pleased with the show. "It's not so big it's overwhelming." He said. Hoffman has been to shows with 700 to 1,000 cars.

The show was Ed Kowolski's first, and he brought his recently acquired 1956 Chevy Bel-Air. "I intend to drive this and have a good time with it." Kowolski said.