The first Saline Street Machines car show was held before half of all Americans alive today were even born. Saline Main Street had yet to exist. Two Michigan Avenue makeovers would pass between then and now. [1]
If you joined the workforce straight out of high school that year, you’d now be eligible to join Amac. Or AARP if you prefer. [2,3]
When Saline Journal spoke to event organizers the night before their 2017 opening, it seemed mileage as much as age was showing on their faces. There didn’t seem much convincing anyone to return for this, a thirty-sixth year. Two months ago, however, Saline’s Summerfest lead Karen Ragland confirmed that this co-located car show would “be back one more year.” [4,5]
Emphasis on the “one.”
Kevin Latocki has been with Saline Street Machines “too many years to count” and is running point for the August 11, 2018 car show — again to be centered at the intersection of McKay and North Ann Arbor. Computer issues meant fliers for vehicle entries weren’t (and won’t be) mailed to past participants. Hard copies are available at CarQuest or can be printed from the links below. Prior participants likely already have this on their calendars; otherwise, the difference in price is $15.00 same day versus $12.00 mail-in. [6,7,8]
What they need more than anything else right now is help on the day of the show. Things get started well before sun-up and continue at a pace until almost dinnertime. “We need help setting baricades, help setting up tables,” Mr Latocki said. “Then there’s the silent auction, door prizes — help parking cars.” He’s still looking to add five to ten volunteers. [9]
Longtime local businessman Bill Crispin separately told Saline Journal that “car shows do a lot for a community. Restaurants like them. Stores like them. They bring a completely different group of people downtown. All ages.”
Aside from covering its own expenses and maintaining a modest rainy day reserve, Saline Street Machines organizers donate all procedes from this show to charities. “Saline Area Social Service is always at the top of the list,” Kevin Latocki said. [10]
Upwards of 160 cars were shown last year, making this a good place for sponsor visibility. Modest contributions of items for door prizes are always welcome. Other levels include $100, $250, and $500 amounts. But the window for getting involved in this part of the show is coming to a close in about a week. If you want in, act today (as the saying goes).
The bigger message here is that Saline Street Machines is looking for help from the next generation for its next thirty-five years, and beyond. There are lots of car shows, but only one downtown Saline car show.
References
For those interested in helping out with the 2018 Saline Street Machines car show on August 11, contact Kevin Latocki under the “klatocki” user name on Gmail.
- “The Nation’s Median Age Continues to Rise” (June 22, 2017) United States Census Bureau.
- Amac (home page).
- AARP (home page).
- “Saline Street Machines Car Show Marks 35th Year (with Local Videos)” Dell Deaton (August 15, 2017).
- Saline’s Summerfest (home page).
- CarQuest Auto Parts (Saline location).
- Registration form (Side A, PDF) Saline Street Machines car show.
- Registration form (Side B, PDF) Saline Street Machines car show.
- “Saline Street Machines car show 2017” Dell Deaton (August 15, 2017) Vimeo.
- Saline Area Social Service (home page).
