ELLERY - Car enthusiasts from all over the region made their way to Midway State Park to show off their classic automobiles Monday.
The Der Kobblers Automobile Association's 2012 Labor Day Cruise-In Car Show was held at Midway with hundreds of classic cars, trucks and vans on display.
Aaron Williams of Erie, Pa., was there with his 1950 Ford F-1 truck. Williams said he has owned the pickup for two years and enjoys displaying his classic automobile at regional shows.
Article Photos
From left, Ray Kibbe and Aaron Williams under the hood of Kibbe’s 1956 Ford Fairlane at the Der Kobblers Automobile Association’s 2012 Labor Day Cruise-In Car Show at Midway State Park on Monday.
P-J photo by Dennis Phillips
''The comradery you get from the other owners is great,'' he said. ''It is a good time to show the vehicle off and see what other people have.''
Ray Kibbe of North East, Pa., was on hand with his childhood fantasy car - a 1956 Ford Fairlane. Kibbe has dubbed the automobile the ''Sassy Lady.''
''I've always wanted this car, since I was a little kid,'' he said.
Kibbe found his dream machine when he was visiting a relative in California about 10 years ago. He said he found it in the classifieds, which led him to purchasing the car.
''I was out there on vacation. I wasn't planning to buy it,'' he said.
Kibbe brought the vehicle back home and rebuilt it so he can enjoy cruising to area car shows.
''I love talking to people about it,'' he said. ''If I can make someone happy by them looking at the car and talking to me about the car, then that makes me happy.''
Dan and Sharon Foster of Westfield were at Midway with their 1968 Plymouth Barracuda. The car, which is Mrs. Foster's, was renovated by Foster, who has placed a new engine and transmission into the hot rod. The Fosters said it took them about four years to renovate the car. The vehicle has even been featured in an edition of the Mopar Collector's Guide Magazine.
The Fosters said they've owned the car for about 20 years and travel to many car shows to meet new people and reminisce with old friends.
''The people are great. You are quick to make a lot of new friends, and then you see some familiar faces from past car shows we've been at and you get to talking to them too,'' Mrs. Foster said.
Sam Ognibene, Der Kobblers Automobile Association member, said it is the fifth time the car show has been held on Labor Day at Midway State Park. Ognibene said, depending on the weather, between 200 and 500 cars have attended past Der Kobblers Automobile Association car shows.
The proceeds benefit WCA Hospital's Diabetes Self-Management Program. The donated money will allow WCA officials to purchase pedometers and food models which will be used by diabetes educators to better teach clients about the importance of exercise, goal setting and healthy food choices.
Ognibene said he estimates the Der Kobblers Automobile Association has donated between $4,000 and $5,000 through the years to WCA Hospital's diabetes program.