1952 Hudson gets spotlight in car parade

HAMILTON — One of the area’s most popular events — the annual Antique and Classic Car Parade — will be held Saturday, July 25.

Marking the Hudson’s 100th anniversary, the lead car will be the 1952 Hudson Commodore 8 owned by Vickie Keller, daughter of the late David Stewart, longtime Antique and Classic Car Club of Butler County member.

“It’s a relatively rare car,” said Greg Peck, club member. “This is a mostly original car, even the paint.”

Organizers are preparing for 300 entries, which will include vehicles at least 25 years old, ranging from cars to fire trucks and buses. Nearly 200 vehicles were registered last week.

Vehicles will begin from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at the Hamilton West Shopping Center, Main Street at Brookwood Avenue. The parade will begin at 1 p.m., traveling about eight miles via Main and High streets and Pleasant Avenue to Fair Plaza on Patterson Boulevard in Fairfield. After the stop in Fairfield, the parade will return to Hamilton along Pleasant Avenue, ending at the Historic Butler County Courthouse, where vehicles will be exhibited from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

One of the appeals of the event is a parade is not static like a car show, Peck said.

“It is one event where they can actually see the cars driving and hear them run,” he said. “You won’t see these cars on the road except for this.”

The parade also is a great time to reminisce, Peck said.

“People always refer to their parents having one. There is a lot of connection if they have ever had one or rode in one. It is a common experience,” he said.

For more information, visit www.antiquecars.org; or call 756-0810.

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