There’s nothing like the feeling of the open road: hands gripping the wheel, feet on the pedals, wind in your hair – it’s an experience like no other.
In fact, few things in life can bring a man (or woman, for that matter) as much joy as a car. Lucky for all of those car and motorcycle lovers out there, Berks County offers a slew of auto shows and events this summer!
June
One of the busiest months of the year for car and motorcycle shows is June. We start out with the 35th Annual In-Vette-Tational on June 7 at the Oley Fairgrounds (which coincides nicely with WWII Weekend at the Reading Regional Airport), followed by the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society’s 4th Annual Antique, Custom, Race Car, Street Rod & Motorcycle Show on June 8 at the Lyons Community Park. According to event organizers, this show also includes raffles, door prizes, a 50/50 drawing, a flea market and a Chinese auction. Also on June 8 is the Boulevard Knights Classic Car Club Car, Truck and Cycle Show at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg. Finally there is the 9th Annual Fleetwood Rotary Club Show of Wheels on June 14 at Fleetwood Community Park, as well as the Extreme Illusion 8 Auto & Bike Show on June 28 in New Smithville.
July
July is just as fun-filled as June. Independence Day weekend brings the Hawk Mountain Regional Group of the Early Ford V-8 Club of America’s Show n’ Shine at the Park on July 4 at the Fleetwood Community Park. There’s also the 2014 Deutsche Classic, featuring German-made vehicles on July 12 at the Oley Fairgrounds; the Schuylkill Valley Girls Softball Association (aka SVGSA) 6th Annual Car Show at the Bern Church Grove, Leesport; and the Wings & Wheels Fly-In Vintage Automobile Show & Big Band Swing Dance on July 12 and 13 at the Golden Age Air Museum in Bethel Township. Lastly, July 26 brings St. John’s 5th Annual Car Show to Birdsboro.
August & Beyond
Car shows can be somewhat difficult events to plan, which is why there’s no date set yet for the 16th Annual Auto Show at the Perry Township Recreation Area, but it’s generally held on the second Sunday in August. The same goes for the 43rd Annual Strausstown Lions Club Antique Auto Show & Flea Market, which is expected to be held on the second Sunday in September in Strausstown. Kauffman's 18th Annual Antique & Custom Car Show will take place on Sept. 1 (Labor Day Weekend) at Kauffman’s BBQ Restaurant in Bethel Township. Later in the year, check out the Keystone State Chapter Pontiac Oakland Club International's 40th Annual Fall Meet on Sept. 28 in Reading and the 38th Annual Old Car Show & Indoor/Outdoor Flea Market on Oct. 26 in Kempton.
That’s Not All, Folks!
“Many clubs and organizations will start plans for next year's event as soon as they wrap up [this year’s] show,” says Berks County car and motorcycle aficionado and Hamburg resident Carl Hess. “But, unfortunately, there are some events you don't hear about until a month or less before the event.” Luckily, there’s a “Central PA Car Shows” Facebook group, and you can also sign up for the Cruise News newsletter (which contains a ton of listings and ads) by emailing cruisenews.karen@gmail.com.
Happy driving!
by Joseph Lawley | photos by Carl A. Hess
