On Sunday the 14th, Charles Colman Boulevard was once again packed from end to end with cars from every decade. It was, of course, the day of the 6th Annual Pawling Car Show, which drew in motorheads from far and wide. In addition to lining the street with roadsters of every design and color, the event brought live classic rock to the pavilion alongside a number of raffles and giveaways.
The show was led and hosted by the Dutchess Cruisers, the “first car club of the new millennium” in the county, which takes interest in both American classics and modern custom cars. Dutchess Cruisers is a non-profit organization, and proceeds made from the Pawling Car Show and similar events are donated to a number of charitable causes, including veterans’ services.
According to Ray, the president of Dutchess Cruisers, this is the second iteration of the Pawling Car Show. “They used to do it years ago, and then it got washed out, something happened. It was a really good show then.” He added, “This is a better show. It’s a better show now.” Indeed, the streets were the most crowded they’ve been in months; there was scarcely room to squeeze in another card. The Dutchess Cruisers estimated that there were “about 170-180” cars at the show.
Like many car shows, awards were an integral part of the Pawling show. “We’re giving out 60 trophies… I mean there are a lot of nice cars.” Some of the categories for award included Best Paint, Best of Show, Best GM, and Best Ford. “We do 23 Best of, then we do so many regular trophies that we pick for the [second] round, and then we have a Best of Show picture.” As the day drew closer to the end of registration though, things didn’t get easier. “There’s a GTO, look at this. There’s one nicer than the next, after the next coming in.” Not that awards are ultimately what matters. Ray shrugged, “Some people will get trophies, some won’t.”
