Orinda Classic Car Show and Dancing with the Cars is Here!
The Orinda Classic Car Show is coming fast! For classic and exotic car owners and fans, our Orinda show is a uniquely fun and exhilarating experience. The show is always free, and proceeds benefit the OA’s Seniors Around Town (SAT) free seniors ride program. And for those less captivated by cars, please come check it out – just have fun and support worthy causes at the same time.
The show is Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Orinda Village. This year’s theme is Keep On Truckin’ and we’ll have vintage pickups, and other interesting transport vehicles, plus classics going back to the 1930s and beyond. You can see everything from true American muscle cars to impeccably restored Jaguars and Mercedes sports cars to modern exotics, including state of the art electric cars from Mercedes and other leading makers. And for special entertainment, be sure to catch the original Shelby Cobra cars driven into the show at 1 p.m., after the Lamorinda Idol singers perform. Go to www.orindaassociation.org or www.Orindacarshow.com for details.
We also happily support the “Dancing with the Cars” party – Orinda Rotary’s major annual fundraiser and kick-off to the Orinda Classic Car Show Weekend. The party theme is “A Night in Havana” and it takes place Friday, Sept. 9, from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at the outdoor Upper-Level Plaza of the Orinda Library. This festive evening features a Cuban-inspired buffet, mojitos, live Latin dance music, car display, and more. Tickets are $90 per person through Aug. 20, and $105 after Aug. 20. Purchase tickets by Sept. 2 at www.orindarotary.org or contact orindarotaryfundraiser@gmail.com.
Finally, here are a few facts and reasons to support this year’s Car Show. In its 17th year, SAT continues to provide free transportation for our deserving and very grateful Orinda seniors. Did you know SAT has provided more than 714 rides so far this year and will provide 1200+ total rides by the end of 2022! That’s approximately 20% more than last year. SAT volunteers have donated over 600 hours to date. And two of our Orinda City Council members have driven for SAT- Inga Miller and Dennis Faye.
SAT also operates the VESP program (Volunteer Emergency Support Program) where during an emergency – such as fire watch/warnings, power outages, shelter in place orders – volunteers are assigned seniors based on proximity to each other. During an emergency, volunteers contact seniors in person to see if they need anything – food, water, radio, flashlight and offer neighborly reassurance that they are not alone. And SAT volunteers even go shopping and deliver groceries to some seniors and have done this for two-plus years since the COVID outbreak.
I hope everyone will come and have fun at the show and pre-party and raise funds for worthwhile causes. The OA and staff, our dedicated Car Show Committee members and Orinda Rotary Club members all thank you very much!
Bill Waterman can be reached at b.waterman354@gmail.com.
The grand prize in The Orinda Association raffle at the Orinda Classic Car show Sept. 10 is a 12V electric jeep, large enough for two children. The fun “car” includes a 2.4G remote control, foot pedal modes, music, horn, MP3 player and headlights. Be sure and enter the raffle at The Orinda Association booth.
