Goin’ to Town Car Show sees record turnout

Published 8:00 am Wednesday, March 10, 2021

More than 300 cars were preregistered for the 2021 Fielder’s Pro Shop Goin’ to Town Car Show and 293 made the show in downtown Brookhaven Saturday.

“It’s the biggest attendance we’ve ever had,” said show coordinator T-Tommy Smith.

Thousands of attendees, many with dogs in tow, strolled among the vehicles arrayed from one end of Railroad Park to the other, and eastward along Cherokee Street. According to Smith, many people enjoying the vehicles and clear, sunny day were in the Homeseekers Paradise for the first time.

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“It was great,” said Brookhaven Mayor Joe Cox, who also had an entry in the show — a black Corvette.

“There’s a plus for the economy, obviously. People bought food, fuel and everything else,” he said.

Downtown eateries had lines snaking out the doors of hungry people — places like Janie’s Bakery on South Whitworth Street, where the chicken on a stick sold almost as fast as it was prepared. Lots of show-goers carried cups from Jack’s Coffee or Georgia Blue, or boxes of Fox’s and Serio’s pizza.

“This was a quality of life event and family friendly. People came from everywhere,” Cox said.

The People’s Choice award — the show’s top prize — went to Will Bond of Hattiesburg, for his 1967 Pontiac convertible. The Long Distance award went to Richard Rose of Compton, Illinois, who brought his 1947 Packard. The Ladies’ Choice award went to Blayne Brister of Bogue Chitto, owner of a 1958 Chevy Apache pickup. The Chamber’s Choice award was presented to Sam Hupperich for his 1964 Ford Falcon Sprint. The Mayor’s Pick award went to Julie Case for her 1991 Ford Mustang.

The mayor is already looking forward to the show rolling back around next year.

“It’s one of my favorite events of the year,” he said.