WARREN - The Packards have arrived.
Between 50 and 75 of the vehicles are expected today at the National Packard Museum on Mahoning Avenue for the 23rd annual Antique and Classic Car Show.
Roger Phillips, vice president / treasurer of the museum, said the event has become a homecoming for many Packard owners.
Article Photos
Tribune Chronicle / Bob Coupland
Roger Phillips, vice president / treasurer of the National Packard Museum of Warren, shows off this 1956 Caribbean hardtop, which is one of the many vehicles on display at the 23rd annual Packard car show being held this weekend at the museum.
''They enjoy coming here and the camaraderie. There's something special for many to be able to come back to Warren. It's like a rite of summer,'' he said.
Dwight Heinmuller of Spark, Md., said he has attended the show since the mid-1990s, bringing either his 1954 sedan or 1956 convertible.
''I like the drive here from Maryland. Ohio is one of my favorite states, and this is one show I enjoy coming to,'' he said.
Fact Box
Schedule
The 23rd annual Antique and Classic Car Show at the National Packard Museum schedule of events:
* Today, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: The Packard Courtyard of Classics, where classic antique vehicles will be assembled alongside Packard vehicles.
The Stephen Foster Chorus: 11 to 11:45 a.m.
The Dixie Dandies: noon to 2 p.m.
Packard Garage Sale: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Classic vehicles will be judged on the field this afternoon and trophies will be given at the Banquet and Awards Ceremony at 6 p.m. in the museum. A Packard historian, Jim Balfour of Dowagiac, Mich., will present ''Letters From Packard.'' A registration fee of $40 is required.
* Sunday: Buffet breakfast 9 to 10 a.m. A $15 fee is required.
The All Makes & Models Automobile and Motorcycle Cruise In: 11 a.m. Top 50 trophies will be presented at 3 p.m.
An outdoor concert Sunday evening by the Packard Concert Band on the south lawn of the W.D. Packard Music Hall in Packard Park will conclude the weekend.
Packard Garage Sale: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Heinmuller said he has made many friends at the shows and enjoys the uniqueness of the Packards.
''This place is a true jewel for Warren,'' he said.
Randy Bergen of Irwin, Pa., had a two-hour drive bringing his 1956 Four Hundred and has returned several summers since the mid-90s.
''I admire all the cars and seeing the friends I have made each year return,'' said Bergen, who owns three Packards.
Ole Book of North Bergen, N.J., who drove nine hours to bring his 1956 Executive two-door hardtop, said he has been coming to the show since the Packard centennial celebration in 1999.
''I love coming back to Warren, the birthplace of the Packard. I have had Packards for many years. I bought my first Packard in 1969,'' said Book, who owns three Packards.
Book said he and Bergen own very similar Packards, including Caribbean convertibles.
He he donated three Packard Marine engines to the museum that are now part of the permanent collection.
Bill Lewis of Ashtabula was at the show taking photos of the different vehicles.
''I saw that the show was being held and decided to stop down. The cars make good photos. It's a great place for a camera club to stop at,'' he said.
The festivities continue today and tomorrow.