ORANGE — The Celebrate the Harvest Car Show has been renamed the Bob Harris Jr. Memorial Harvest Car Show in honor of the man that made the show happen for over a decade.
This Sunday, Oct. 13, starting at 8 a.m. at Orange Municipal Airport will be the first Bob Harris Jr. Memorial Harvest Car Show.
Classic vehicles of all types are welcome, including cars, trucks and motorcycles. If the weather is nice, organizers are anticipating around 300 vehicles.
There is no pre-registration required, and cost is $10 at the gate. There are no “classes” for parking either, and attendees may park with their friends regardless of vehicle type.
The event has been renamed in honor of the late Harris, who passed away this summer at age 77. In addition to being president and owner of Orange Oil Company, Harris was a founding member of the North Quabbin Cruisers car club, known throughout the region for its “cruise nights” at the former Elks Club, Market Basket and Anne’s Drive In.
“If you had him as a friend it was golden,” said Richard Noel, now vice president of the North Quabbin Cruisers. “Once he was your friend, he was your friend for life.”
Harris also served as president of North Quabbin Cruisers, and, along with his wife, Pam Harris, co-chaired the annual autumn car show for about 15 years. Pam Harris is now the president of the North Quabbin Cruisers.
According to Noel, Harris was known for his passion for automobiles. Noel estimates he had at least 10 cars — including two Corvettes, a roadster and a couple panel wagons.
“Bob was the man that ran this show forever,” Noel said. “So all of our members decided we’d rename this event in his memory.”
Sunday’s event also includes food vendors, 50/50 raffles and several awards. Two special trophies will be given. A “Best of Show” trophy, sponsored by Dick’s Auto and Witty’s Funeral Home, will be given, and the winner becomes eligible to go to the “Top One Hundred Showdown” next year, which is sponsored by Paul Mennet of “Cruisin’ New England.” Another trophy will be given by the Harris family in memory of Bob Harris Jr.
Over forty “Favorite Ride” plaques will be awarded, which are from local businesses and sponsors including Athol Automotive; Brookside Auto Parts; Brookside Equipment; Dale’s Auto Body; Dick’s Auto Repair; Flint’s Auto Repair; Flint Auto Sales; Gelinas Waste Recycle Landscape; Grave Robbers Restoration; Higgins Powersports; Jim’s Auto; Lyman Signs; Nick’s Breakfast & Lunch; Orange Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram; Orange Oil Company; Pete Lyman Excavating; Pete’s Tire Barns; Porter Transportation; In Memory of Randy King; Rose Ledge Companies; In Memory of Tanka McLaughlin; United Church of Bernardston; and Witty’s Funeral Home.
All money raised at the event goes toward local scholarships. Due to the closing of the Orange Business Association and lack of volunteers, there will be no concurrent parade or craft fair this year, as there has been in the past.
Reach David McLellan at dmclellan@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 268.