Staff photo / Bob Coupland
Ben Vitek of Canfield, left, Tom Vitek of Canfield, Jim Young of Boardman and Elaine Young of Boardman look at a Roadster Sunday at the 13th annual car and bike show hosted by Armstrong at Austintown Township Park.

This year, which will be the last year, Veterans Outreach in Liberty will receive 100% of the proceeds. More than 300 classic vehicles, bikes and motorcycles covered the lawn and parking lot Sunday at Austintown Township Park.

Greg Rhoton, community marketing manager / local programming manager for Armstrong, serves as chairman for the Street Scene event.

“We have decided this will be our last show. Each year we choose an organization to donate the proceeds to. The past two years have been Veterans Outreach because we care about our veterans,” he said.

In addition to the $10 registration fee, the raffle item proceeds all benefit Veterans Outreach.

“While this event provides entertainment for the public, we are here for a cause. We are showcasing the best of the Mahoning Valley,” Rhoton said.

He said in 2008, the Street Scene television show featured the first car show on Armstrong. The first event was at Shepherd’s Self Storage in Boardman then Chili’s in Boardman before coming in 2021 to Austintown Township Park.

“I am a car nut and have always wanted to hold a car show. In 2012, we decided to hold a show and raise money for a charity. It was ideal to get everyone together for a family event while raising money,” Rhoton said.

He said the show raises between $3,500 and $6,000.

The park setting with grass makes the event ideal for the public, event organizers said.

Rhoton said cars come from Cleveland and Pittsburgh for the event.

Awards are given out, including public’s choice and judges’ choice, as well as special awards for best paint, best interior and others. Helping Rhoton with judging were Rick Guerrera and Kristin Sylvester, who were Street Scene television show co-hosts for many years.

John Ely, founder of Veterans Outreach, said the organization has been able to expand since relocating in 2023 to a new larger location off Colonial Drive.

“It’s incredible an organization like Armstrong has helped us for the past three years. They have been wonderful to us and supportive of our services to help veterans. We have helped veterans for 31 years,” John Ely said.

He said Veterans Outreach hosts many events and fundraisers throughout the year. Ely said Veterans Outreach is located on a 2.6-acre suite with plans being discussed for an auto depot in addition to the current thrift store that has furniture, clothing and household items, and a food pantry.

Teri Ely, executive director of Veterans Outreach, said “It is very humbling for them to once again support us and our mission of helping veterans.”

She said often a veteran will get help with getting an apartment but have no furniture or kitchen items and they come to Veterans Outreach to get the items they need. The Elys said they often work with other veterans’ organizations and agencies to best help area veterans.

BIKES SHOWCASED

Tom Cebula of Burghill brought his 2007 Schwinn modified bike to the show that he put together and named “St. Cecilia Bike” with religious items surrounding it, such as a blanket with a lamb on it.

“People always ask me if I did the bike,” he said.

Chuck Beltz of Boardman stopped by to see the bike because he has a Schwinn pea picker bike that was green.

Elaine and Jim Young of Boardman were among the many people looking at the different cars and motorcycles. The Youngs were at the event with Elaine’s brother, Tom Vitek of Canfield, who was there with his son, Ben Vitek.

“We heard this was the last show. We were very sorry to hear about that. Hopefully someone will step up and take it over,” Elaine Young said.

She said she and her husband have come to the show every year.

Youngstown resident Alan Ackerson and his son, Victor Ackerson, said they enjoy the opportunity to see a variety of cars in one location.

“We both enjoy looking at cars,” said Alan Ackerson as he and Victor looked at a 1972 Camaro.