The one-day event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monterey Road in downtown Morgan Hill

By Marty Cheek

The show must go on . . . the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce’s annual car show, that is.

Although the Taste of Morgan Hill was cancelled this year due to the rising cost of security, insurance and other costs for the popular fall public gathering, the Chamber decided to hold the car as a stand-alone fundraising event.

For nearly three decades during the Taste, the car show has attracted people who enjoy looking at classy chassis from the past.

The free event is open to the public downtown from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Sept. 24. The display of classic cars and hotrods will be held in the southern area of Monterey Road, the location where it normally is held during the Taste.

“It’s the same car show we’ve done in conjunction with the Taste in the past in that it’s more of a meet-and-greet instead of a true car show,” said Dusty Perryman, an organizer of the event. “The cars are all voted on by spectators. There are no official judges.”

This show is open to all cars and motorcycles —–   and there will even be at least one tractor. Vehicles are not restricted by model year. Participants and spectators judge entrants via ballots for six different categories (specialty vehicles, pick-up trucks, American car, foreign car, best paint job, and best hood ornament. to win first and second place awards.

The show’s parking spaces will not pre-assigned so car owners who want to park with their friends, a car club or any other group should please arrive together, Perryman said.

“If you want to park with all your buddies,  show up early and haul all together and you can park together however you want,” he said.

Car enthusiasts have attended the show for the past 20 to 30 years and they like to have the same parking spot every time, he said.

The entry fee of $40 (pre-registration) or $50 (day of registration) includes a buffet breakfast  for two, said Lori Allen, members services specialists for the Chamber.

“The Edward Boss Prado Foundation is sponsoring our continental breakfast,” she said. “It includes bagels, coffee and juice and donuts for all the car owners attending.”

Participants and guests are encouraged to enjoy the offerings of Morgan Hill’s downtown restaurants for lunch as there will be no food trucks, she said.

As an additional fundraiser, the Chamber will hold its inaugural Golf Classic Tournament Oct. 21 at the Coyote Creek Golf Course north of Morgan Hill. Entry is $200 a player and includes an awards dinner as well as a smaller car show.

For more information or to register for the golf tournament, visit www.business.morganhillchamber.org/events/details/mhcoc-1st-annual-golf-classic-43209.