TURNERS FALLS — The 9th annual Cool Rides Car Show at Franklin County Technical School on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. will have something for antique and vintage car lovers of all kinds.
The Cool Rides Car Show, one of the largest free car shows in Franklin County, will be held on the at the school at 82 Industrial Blvd. in Turners Falls. The show will happen rain or shine. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.
Besides cars, the event will also have trucks, motorcycles and farm tractors on display. There is no registration fee for participants. The show is held on the Nancy Gifford football practice field, located on the side of the school.
The Cool Rides Car Show attracts participants and spectators from all over New England. Last year, there were close to 300 vehicles on display.
“Every year we get more and more vehicles and spectators,” said Jamie Noel, FCTS technology network systems engineer and organizer of the Cool Rides Car Show. “You get to see stuff you don’t get to see at other car shows.”
A People’s Choice trophy created by Aspen Keel, a sophomore in the FCTS welding program, will be awarded. Participants who want to win the trophy do so by buying a vote for a $1 each. The participant with the most votes wins.
Show organizers will also hand out 25 Favorite Ride trophies made of aluminum with a wood base. The trophy was designed by FCTS CAD/CAM instructor Michael Therrien and made by machine technology, carpentry, and CAD/CAM students. Besides the wide range of vehicles on display, Cool Rides will feature several other activities, including kid’s attractions, like a bounce house, face painting, coloring books and petting zoo.
The PEP Drag Way, operated by the school’s Pre-Employment Program students and faculty, will be back this year. The Drag Way is a 24-foot gravity track where kids can race Hot Wheels cars. The Hot Wheels cars will be available for purchase at the car show.
The Franklin County Culinary Arts program staff and students will prepare a variety of traditional food fare and original culinary delights. Guided tours of the school’s shops will be held from 10 a.m. to noon.
Franklin County Tech is a tobacco-free campus and no pets are allowed at the event. For more information visit: www.fcts.us or contact Jamie Noel at jnoel@fcts.us or 413-863-9561, ext. 129.