By Christine Galeone, Contributing Writer
Region – Six central Massachusetts car shows will offer fun, nostalgia and more this summer.
Mustang Car Club of New England 35th annual Summer All Wheels Car Show
This annual summer car show will be held Sunday, July 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Solomon Pond Mall, 601 Donald Lynch Boulevard, in Marlborough. The registration fee for non-members is $20 and $15 for members. Admission is free for spectators.
All makes, models and years will be welcome, and trophies will be awarded. There will be entertainment by Into the Groove and several raffles. The car club’s charity of the year, which the event supports, is The Tomorrow Fund, a nonprofit that helps children who are fighting cancer.
Volks-Fair 2019
The Bug Club’s 20th annual Volks-Fair will be held Saturday, July 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hebert Candy Mansion, 574 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury. The registration fee is $15. Admission is free for spectators.
All air-cooled Volkswagens will be welcome, and trophies will be awarded. There will be music provided by DJ Jimmy Dee, food and ice cream.
Cruzzin’ Dreams Cruise Nights
The longest-running annual cruise nights in Central Massachusetts, which include cars, trucks and motorcycles, returned April 18 and will be held every Thursday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. through September 19 at Hebert Candy Mansion. Although donations are accepted, admission and registration is free.
All makes, models and years are welcome, and some vehicles are chosen to go to its Best of the Best Weekly Picks Night. There will be ice cream, food and entertainment. Upcoming feature nights include the June 20 Camaro and Firebirds Night, the July 11 Corvette Night and the July 25 Motorcycle Night.
Cruisin’ at the Upton VFW Nights
Another annual series of cruise nights, which include cars, trucks and motorcycles, started May 28 and will be held every Tuesday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. throughout the summer at the Upton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5594, 15 Milford St. Free admission and registration.
The festivities include trophies, food, a 50/50 raffle, and entertainment provided by a DJ.
The seventh annual Cars of Summer Car Show
This three-day car show will take place Thursday, July 4, through Saturday, July 6, at Green Hill Park, 50 Skyline Drive, Worcester. It will be open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The show’s various admission prices and registration fees are on its website, www.carsofsummer.com.
Festivities will include trophies, vendors, food trucks, kids’ activities, monster truck rides, displays, a petting zoo and live music. And the show’s “Jurassic Park” movies display, created and owned by father and son car restorers Bill and Patrick Shea, will offer photo opportunities to raise money for the Massachusetts Vietnam Veteran Memorial, located in the park.
The eighth annual Jake Bratkon Memorial Car Show
This free car show, which includes cars, trucks and motorcycles, will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at Mountview Middle School, 270 Shrewsbury St., Holden. Vehicles may be pre-registered at the Because Jake Lived website, www.becausejakelived.com, or at the show starting at 8 a.m.
The festivities will consist of awards, games, raffles, kids’ activities, food and live music. And the Best in Show winner will be the car on the 2020 show t-shirts. Along with honoring Jake Bratkon – a kind, extraordinary teen who loved helping others and going on mission trips – the event raises money for Because Jake Lived, a nonprofit founded and run by Jake’s family. Among other things, it supports youth nonprofits and provides food for impoverished families.