By Parker McKenzie
The Monbulk Car Show isn’t just for revheads, with family entertainment, CFA demonstrations and live music throughout Main Street when it returns on Sunday 26 March from 10am to 2pm.
The annual event, which fundraises for Monbulk CFA and local community groups, raised $22,000 for firefighters last year and is aiming to go even bigger in 2023.
Organiser Richard Licciardi said the 2022 Car Show was the biggest ever “by a considerable margin.”
“2019 was the biggest to that point, but 2022 was another step up,” he said.
“There was no show in 2020 and the 2021 show was postponed until 2022, because we normally have it in the last week of November, but we postponed it four months and decided to keep it in March because it worked well.”
Over 400 classic cars were bought to the event by community members last year, alongside live music and a kid’s zone and demonstrations by the brigade for families and the local community to enjoy.
Monbulk CFA Second Lieutenant Glenn Hickingbotham said the Car Show isn’t just for people who love cars, with plenty of other entertainment available for families in attendance.
“There’s live music too, we have bands in the main street, a lot of food vendors and community groups,” he said.
“It’s for the community and the local traders too. We’re selective about what food and drink we allow in so the traders can get the most out of the day too.”
The money raised last year went towards equipment, vehicle funds, specialty rope rescue equipment and a new station fund for the brigade.
This year’s car show will be the first under the auspice of Monbulk CFA, with previous years organised by the Monbulk and District Community Working Group (MADCOW).
Mr Hickingbotham said for the brigade, is the major fundraiser of the year and last year’s event saw over 3000 people come to Main Street Monbulk.
“It means a lot to us. We provide all the marshalling of the cars and all the entrance points, collecting the money at the car entry and also the spectator entry points,” he said.
“Our auxiliary also runs a barbecue out of our feeding trailer, so they run food on the event as well. The day is really worthwhile for us.”
Mr Licciardi said the event isn’t specific to any brand or type of car.
“We’re not chrome bumpers; we’re not pre-1980 or American. Anybody who has a car that they love can bring it along because that is the most important thing,” he said.
“It isn’t about what brand you are interested in, what manufacturer or brand your car is. It’s about the love of cars and that’s why we do it.”
Gates open at 7am on the day, with entry costing of $8 for an individual and $20 for a family with a $10 entry for cars.
