Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
Published: 6/15/2022 1:43:13 PM
Modified: 6/15/2022 1:40:57 PM
Peter Heikkila of New Ipswich has won more than 40 awards for his antique car and has been attending regional car shows for decades.
Displaying his yellow 1973 Corvette Stingray at a car show in Temple Monday, Heikkila said cruise nights bring out the best in the community.
“It’s the camaraderie, you get to meet people and make friends. These people will stop on the side of the road to help if you break down. Most people wouldn’t, but they do.”
Temple’s car show Monday, sponsored by the recreation and fire departments, was the first in the town’s history. The next one is scheduled for Monday, June 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Common. The first event featured about two dozen antique and modern hot rods. Crowd favorites included Heikkila’s Stingray and a black 1973 GMC Sprint owned by Roger Hart.
Hart has been attending car shows in the area for 12 years. To him, cruise nights are more than just putting his antique car on display.
“It makes me feel young again,” said Hart.
The Range (Marty’s Driving Range) in Mason has been hosting car shows for 10 years, providing a consistent spot for car enthusiasts to showcase their prized possessions every Thursday night from 6 to 10 p.m. The June 9 show included a live performance from the band Sheepdip and food trucks, and welcomed classic and modern cars and bikes, from 1920s Model T’s to modernized Mercedes.
Aiden Peard was attending his third car show of the year, displaying a 1949 Chevy.
“My father and I put it together, almost 10 years ago now,” he said, adding that the motor, front end and rear end are newer, but the car has the original frame from the firewall on back.
Peterborough is celebrating its 11-year tradition of hosting “cruz-ins,” including its second event of the summer Sunday, June 19, from 9 a.m. to noon in the Depot Square parking lot in downtown Peterborough.
The free event is open to all makes and models of vintage or special interest cars, trucks, motorcycles and bicycles. Participants who own antique or special-interest vehicles, even tricycles, can win a $25 gift card to Kimball’s Ice Cream in Jaffrey during an 11 a.m. drawing. The Rotary Club will offer free coffee and doughnuts while they last, and a Rotary membership information table will be available. The Rotary will also be taking donations for community projects.
Peterborugh’s cruz-ins will take place in the Depot Square parking lot every third Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon during the summer months. For information, call John Kaufhold at 603-801-8364.