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Car show benefits local Red Cross
Sep 24, 2009
By Charlotte A. Graham, countyreporter@laurelleadercall.com
September 20, 2009 12:52 pm
Residents of Jones County and surrounding areas gathered in the parking lot of the Jones Family Medicine Clinic in Laurel Saturday for the Second Annual September Showofff.
The event, which showcased some of the region’s finest cars, trucks and motorcycles, is a fundraiser for the Pine Belt Area Chapter of the American Red Cross.
“Every bit of the proceeds will go to the local chapter of the Red Cross,” said Samantha Thornton, one of the organizers of the event. “Last year we raised a little over $4,000.
“We hope we can do at least that much this year. Ideally though, we hope to be at $6,000 or $7,000.”
Lori Thames, another organizer, noted that the number of entries is smaller than it was a year ago. This year there are only 88 participants. Last year, there were 112.
“We think we are still doing well,” she said. “I believe the rain had something to do with the decrease this year.”
The vehicles were judge in several categories. Awards included: Top 25 Cars, Top Two Unfinished, Best Show Car, Best Show Truck, top 15 Trucks, Best Late Model 1990 & Up, Best Corvette, Best All Original, Best Low Rider, Best Resto Mod, Top 5 Imports, Best Pre-1950, Best 4x4, Top Bike and Top 3 Bikes and Doctor’s Choice.”
Among the judges were Jones County Sheriff Alex Hodge, Quitman resident Jerry Dearman and Jones County Deputy Medical Examiner/Investigator Ernest Hollingsworth.
All three said they were no experts when it came to judging cars, but could appreciate the hard work the owners put into restoring and maintaining their vehicles.
“I am just looking for something original,” explained Hodge. “I’m looking for those who keep to the original state of the vehicle as much as possible.”
Dearman agreed.
“I also look at how well the vehicle is kept up on the inside and outside,” added Dearman. “I want to see how they take care of it.
“All of these vehicles look real good. It’s hard to make a choice.”
Hollingsworth said he wasn’t looking at any particular thing in judging the cars. But like Hodge and Dearman, he said originality “makes the difference.”
Hodge added that he’s glad the organizers have different classes to judge the vehicles. “There’s no way you can put these older vehicles in the category with these more modern vehicles. But there are a lot of fine vehicles here form both sides. It makes it hard to choose a winner.”
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Photos
The crowd was steady during the Second Annual September Showoff, a benefit car show sponsored by Jones Family Medicine Clinic in Laurel. All proceeds go to the Pine Belt Area Chapter of the American Red Cross.
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