Organizers plan to proceed with Memorial weekend car show

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SILVERHILL, Alabama — In hopes that rules about limiting public gatherings will soon be relaxed, the Gear Jammers Car Club is making plans to proceed with its annual Silverhill Car Show on Saturday, May 23.

Right now, under the current order issued by Gov. Kay Ivey, non-work-related gatherings are limited to 10 or less, but organizers are hoping that number will be increased to at least 50 after May 15.

“That’s what we’re hoping,” said Frankie Kucera, Gear Jammers founding member and longtime organizer of the event. “The last thing I want to do is break any laws and we can always cancel it if we need to.”

In the past, the event has drawn up to 200 cars, but Kucera said they will do what they can to limit the number of entries.

“We will have people at each entry point, parking cars at a safe distance,” he said. “We’re going to spread out more, and once the area is full, it’s full. We’re not going to allow any more in.”

The event will also be held in separate areas of the square around town hall, Paul Anderson Park, United Bank (historic People’s Supply) and Gazebo Park, so there won’t be more than 50 cars in any one area.

The event will be limited to show-day registration only, costing $25 per car, Kucera said, with no discount for additional vehicles as in the past. The event begins at 8 a.m. and will run to 4 p.m. with judging starting around 11 a.m.

“We’re changing everything up this year,” Kucera said. “We’re asking that everyone stay with their cars, rather than moving around. We will be taking registration forms around on clip boards to all the entries and only one person at a time will be allowed up to the gazebo to register. I will be there making sure we’re maintaining distancing guidelines. We’re also going to have to do what we can to limit the crowds as much as possible and masks will also be an option to maintain safety. We want this to be a safe and fun experience for everyone involved and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure that happens.”

This year will include 62 awards, including 20 awards focusing on rat rods, Kucera said. Two Top Gun (Best of Show) awards will also be handed out, one for rat rods and one for all other vehicles, Kucera said.

While their regular food vendor has opted out of this year’s event for safety concerns, Kucera said, he is working with local restaurant Café Acadiana to provide food for the event.

“They have a food truck they can use which will be much safer for them and for people getting food,” Kucera said. “We’ll see what happens. Hopefully we can work that out.”

The event will also have a limited amount of door prizes and no goody bags will be handed out this year.

This is an alcohol-free event. Parking is on a first-come basis, no reserves. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Silverhill War Memorial.

The group is also proceeding with plans to host a short Memorial Day program on Monday, May 25, Kucera said.

“I’m working on getting a guest speaker and our town clerk (Nikki Childress) will be singing the National Anthem and probably some other type of special music,” he said. “Again, we want to make sure we do this while maintaining social distancing and doing whatever we can to ensure the safety of the club.”

Kucera said the Veterans Memorial Organization has lost two members since January, Ron Harris and Ernie Banks. One of the town’s oldest veterans, Ralph Utter, has also died since January, he said.

“We wanted to do something to honor them,” he said.

Members of the Veterans Memorial Organization will participate in the presentation of colors and the raising and lowering of the flag to half-staff.