Car show: A charitable success despite financial loss

Junior Derrik Dunne sits inside his father's vintage Firebird. The car has been almost completely restored, with a 400 horsepower engine and anodized rims and radiator.

By Lane Prescott

Washington’s 6th Annual Car Show got off to a soggy start this year. Designed as a fundraiser to pay for the supplies and equipment the Auto class needs throughout the year, the show was actually a financial loss this year due to the rain. The event did attract some die-hard auto enthusiasts undeterred by the inclement weather.

The show usually has strong showing, with at least 150 cars every year, and 187 last year. The student car show is held on Friday, and the Saturday show relies on public support and participation in order to be a success.

“For 60 cars in the rain, we did alright,” Auto Tech teacher Doug Nahale said.

Flyers were sent to several auto enthusiast clubs in the area to try and gather support. The cost for the general public to display a car was $20 and a can of food. WHS students had a discount, having only to bring two cans of food.
Several tents were pitched, both to serve food and drinks for the barbeque and to shelter displays for presenters. The U.S. Army brought a Hummer with an Xbox 360 inside, and let visitors try their hand at Call of Duty 4. One attendee held an impromptu magic show out of the back of his car. Hobby Town was scheduled to have a booth as well, to exhibit their performance RC cars, but was forced to cancel due to the rain.

Nahale was a major contributor to the event. Four of his cars were on display, including a pristine red 1957 Chevrolet, ’67 Chevelle, and a ’68 Camaro.

Though primarily meant as a fundraiser for the Auto class, non-perishable food was also collected to benefit the Tri-City Homeless Coalition. Three 55 gallon drums were filled with food by the end of the day.

“You know it’s an awesome event when people that have graduated come back year after year,” senior Jay Breitzman said.