Marlborough – The Marlborough Main Street Car Show has reached a milestone that was never intended – Sunday, June 3, will mark the show’s 10th anniversary. Now one of the largest annual public events in this Metrowest community, the first show in 2009 was meant to be a one-off, a fun little activity put on by Freemasons to celebrate their Lodge’s 150th anniversary.
The Masons had hoped at least 20 cars would participate, and were shocked when more than 100 turned out.
“When we saw all the cars and the hundreds of spectators that came to enjoy it, we knew we needed to make it an annual event,” said Ken Urato Sr., who was United Brethren Lodge’s presiding master that year.
The show, now hosting 300 classics, muscle cars and hot rods, has become the signature event for the lodge and its biggest annual charitable fundraiser, earning more than $125,000 thus far for local and regional organizations that assist children, families and veterans, including Shriners Hospitals, Marlborough Food Pantry, Wounded Warriors and Home Base Veteran and Family Care.
Bob Archibald has chaired the show committee from its inception and has worked tirelessly to create and sustain relationships with area businesses. A retired elevator inspector, Archibald had never done fundraising before, but his in-person approach has won over the car dealers and automotive shop owners, bank managers and restauranteurs alike. Archibald and his fellow committee members’ in-person approach extends to the lodge’s donations as well.
“We don’t mail it in, we deliver the check personally,” Archibald said. “That is the most gratifying part for me.”
