Rows upon rows of cars from collectibles to classics filled the bulk of the 5-acre grass lot at the Elks Lodge 919 Saturday.
Graf and Sons employees, their friends and families brought their show-worthy cars for a day of music, food and charity at the seventh annual car show.
Event coordinator and customer service manager Sheila Kelsay-Fox has been working at Graf and Sons for 25 years.
“My husband and I have old cars, we have a 1961 Impala, and we always go to car shows,” Fox said.
She was inspired to start her own car show as a way to support Mexico, Graf and Sons and the Elks Lodge.
While Fox is responsible for the bulk of coordinating the annual event, she said she isn’t doing everything alone.
“It’s not just me, it’s Graf’s employees, friends, family (and) the Elks Lodge,” Fox said. “They have a lot of people that are here helping park cars (and) fixing food.”
The Elks were serving up the classics: ribeyes, fish sandwiches, hot dogs, brats and hamburgers all afternoon.
While there appeared to be no shortage of cars or spectators, Fox said this year’s event was a little bit smaller than previous years.
“We always compete with everything that’s going on,” Fox said. “We’re down a little but it’s still a good time.”
The car show featured 22 car classes, three truck classes and three motorcycle classes each eligible for first and second place trophies. Volunteer judges Scott Erwin, Jarod Winn, Ryan Jackson and Tammy Stuckenschneider also awarded $250 to the best in show, $100 to people’s choice and $100 for “Marj’s choice.”
“Anytime that we need help in our community, people come because we always are helping everybody in the community so they kind of feel like they need to give back a little bit,” Fox said.
The roots between Graf and Sons Reloading and the Elks Lodge 919 in Mexico run deep. Owner Marjorie Graf and Fox are members themselves and all proceeds from their car show go to Elks charities.
