Thousands flock to San Martin for annual classic car show
By Jennifer Penketman Special to the Dispatch
San Martin – While admiring the vintage Fords and muscle cars on display, Ivan and KK Batnic said they were inspired enough to enter their own custom car in the Happy Days Car Show, now in its fourth year.
“This is our first year here, and everything is just great,” said Batnic, who lives in San Martin. “We love the band and the people. We’re hoping to enter our own car next year, if it’s ready.”
They were only two of more than a thousand people who flocked to San Martin Country Park Saturday, enjoying the sunny afternoon and the more than 100 impressive cars. Those in attendance of the increasingly popular late summer festival said it was the best turnout they had seen.
“We had to turn people away,” said Dick Smith, head of registration for the cars in the show. “We realized 150 cars was our limit.”
Organizers estimated that the number of people in attendance was in excess of 1,300, an increase from last year’s 1,000.
Besides 140 classic and customized cars, the show boasted a raffle, three local food vendors, and two live bands, the Usual Suspects and JJ Hawg Band. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s office, including the Underwater Rescue Unit, was on hand, and five major auto dealers were in attendance to display their newest models.
“It’s a great place to mingle with other car owners, and get ideas,” said Kevin Scoggis of Hollister, who was displaying a 1940 Ford. “I’ve been here three or four years in a row, and it just gets better ever year.”
“In our first year, we had 60 cars,” Smith said. “No one really knew where San Martin was back them. The next year we had 104 cars. This year, we’re over our capacity.”
Car enthusiasts sought refuge in the shade, socializing and eating ribs from Trail Dust restaurant, Mexican food from El Capri, and a barbecue from Chilgetti’s. The raffle included prizes from some of the Neighborhood Alliance’s many sponsors, such as Eagle Ridge Golf Course and Bed Bath & Beyond. The prizes ranged from $25 gift certificates to $1,000 worth of merchandise from Calstone and Peterson Tractor.
The real attraction could be found parked on the field, where the cars, results of sometimes years of work, finally earned recognition from fellow car lovers. After paying the $35 registration fee, a car can be shown as a “classic” if it was made earlier than 1976. Sylvia Hamilton, president of the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance said there were many more classic cars in the show this year, and certainly more people. Many attendees expressed surprise at how the event had grown.
“It’s twice as big this year,” said Peter Moosman Sr., of San Martin, whose family had more than one entry in the car show, including a 1955 Chevy Bel Air. “The food is much better also.”
Gilroy’s Toyota, Honda, Ford and Chevrolet dealerships were among the five dealerships showing cars, including new hybrid models such as the Ford Escape and Toyota Camry Hyrbrid.
“They’re so hot, we can’t keep them on the lot,” said Cameron Stelling of Gilroy Toyota. The demand for alternative energy could also be met at the tent of Green E-motor, which proudly displayed their Vespa-style bikes, all fully electric.
But the classic cars, of course, were all the old-fashioned kind, painted in vibrant shades of purple, red and orange. Gleaming and spotless under the brilliant sun, they were scrutinized by other car owners and entrants in the show, who voted for the best in several categories.
“I think the road signs and newspapers really made a difference this year,” said Hamilton. The car show is a major fundraiser for the Alliance, which aims among other things to have the San Martin area incorporated as a town. Many of the organization’s 600 members volunteered at the event, facilitating the raffle and information booths.
Organizers estimated that the festival would raise $15,000 to $20,000 for the Alliance. Regardless, said Hamilton, it’s a wonderful event for a group that thrives on a strong sense community. Hamilton has been president of the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance, established in 2000, for three of its six years. The organization is a non-profit group founded for the purpose of protecting the rural atmosphere and promoting positive, controlled growth of San Martin.
To Hamilton and many other organizers, the car show is more than just a solution to the constant question of funding. As was apparent by the many families and children in attendance, and by the alcohol-free environment, the car show was the perfect place for a feeling of community to bloom.
“People are having a really good time,” said Hamilton. “It’s great to raise money, but the real emphasis is community identity and vitality.”
