Fifty years ago Dick Boehr, Gene Benroth and some other downtown merchants had a crazy idea: Let's have an old car. It might bring people to Bluffton.
Fifty years later it continues to take place and continues to bring people to Bluffton.
And, not surprisingly, 50 years later, the cars that are classic today were new in 1967. Who would have thought!
You can except nearly 200 vehicles that grew up on leaded gas to return to Bluffton on Friday, for the 50th Bluffton Festival of Wheels cruise-in, sponsored by the Bluffton Lions.
Over time the event has expanded from antique and classic cars to trucks, tractors, golf carts, fire engines, motorcycles and Cushman’s, according to Dennis Morrison, show chair.
This year’s downtown show opens for parking at 2 p.m. and registration for vehicles is from 2 to 5 p.m., rain or shine.
Judging begins at 5 p.m. with trophies awarded at 7:30 p.m. A cruise down South Main Street begins at 8 p.m. Vehicle registration is $12.
Library storytime at 4 p.m.
The Bluffton Public Library will hold a special "Wheels" storytime.The event, open to children of all ages, is 4 p.m., Friday, in the library, 145 S. Main St. No prior registration is required to attend.
Free Family outdoor movie Friday evening
"Sing,” a family-friendly animated movie, will be shown free on Friday, at 9:15 p.m., on the Presbyterian Church lawn. Freshly made popcorn will be available for 10 cents a bag. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. In case of rain, the movie will be shown in the church sanctuary. The event sponsored by Ignite of Bluffton Presbyterian Church.
Top winners from 2016 show:
• Best of Show – 1930 Studebaker Dictator
Virgil Studebaker, Spencerville
• Mayor’s Choice – 1955 Sunbeam Alpine
John Rindfoss, Bucyrus
• Lion’s Choice - 1953 Pontiac Chieftain Deluxe convertible
Larry and Luella Brown Eller, Deshler
• Sponsor’s Choice - 1962 Volkswagen Type 2 double cab
Jim and Karen Spurgat, Rawson
Proceeds from the festival benefit the charity work of the Lions, which includes:
• Bluffton, Pandora-Gilboa and Cory-Rawson High School graduating senior scholarships
• Sure-Sight Eye screening for 300 area pre-school and Kindergarten children
• Bluffton Boys’ and Girls’ State
• VOSH-Ohio (Pandora, Ohio, eyeglass sorting center)
• Pilot Dogs
• Ohio Sight/Hearing
