Car show set for May 18

The Schowe and Shine Car Show has become a staple in Nevada's spring events over the past six years, and Dr. Ron Schowengerdt said he is excited to bring the 7th annual show to town May 18.

This annual event, held on the third Saturday in May, is free and open to the public.

Last year's show featured 75 vehicles, drew a crowd of about 400 people and raised more than $8,000 for the Nevada Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Schowengerdt said he hopes this show will be better than ever.

Like the other's, this year's show will be held at Schowengerdt's dental office at 1701 W. Austin Blvd. in Nevada. Gates will open to exhibitors at 8 a.m. and car owners may pre-register or register the morning of the show.

Registration fee is $15 for the first vehicle and $5 for each additional vehicle. The show will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the awards ceremony immediately following.

Schowengerdt said he has spent the past year at other shows "networking" with exhibitors and hopes there will be 100 vehicles to see. Schowengerdt said there will be exhibitors from Nevada, El Dorado Springs, Butler, Adrian and Clinton and Pittsburg and Fort Scott, Kan. Some also may show up from Kansas City or other distant places. Several of the exhibitors come to the show every year.

Schowengerdt said car enthusiasts and others come from as many as 100 miles for the show.

All of the money generated by the show is donated to the Nevada Area Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, which partners with Schowengerdt to organize the show. The past five shows have brought in well over $20,000.

Proceeds from the first show went to other local charities. It is a community event, with a disc jockey playing live music, a performance by the "Little Cuties" gymnastics team and other fun events and activities.

A barbecue cookoff will again be part of this year's show as well as a newly added baby contest.

Schowengerdt said three teams plan to compete in the cookoff. Teams are from the First Christian Church, St. Paul Lutheran Church and Riverside Cowboy Church. Each team will cook pulled pork, using their own special sauces.

The public can purchase meat from all three contestants, baked beans, cole slaw a soft drink and a cookie for $7.

The barbecue can be purchased separately for $4. All proceeds from the food are a direct donation to Habitat for Humanity. Those who make a barbecue purchase are eligible to vote for the winner of the cookoff.

The new baby contest will feature boys and girls in separate categories beginning with newborn to 6 months, 6 months to 1 year, 1 year to 18 months and 18 months to 2 years. Registration for the contest begins at 10 a.m. and the $5 registration fee is a direct donation to Habitat for Humanity. Awards will be presented at 11:30. Schowengerdt said first place winners will receive a medal and every child will get a participation award.

The car show will feature four classes of cars, two truck classes, one motorcycle class and one special interest class.

Only exhibitors are allowed to vote for class winners, but everyone who attends the show may vote for the vehicle they think should be chosen as the people's choice and there will be a "kids choice" too. Prizes will be awarded to all winners and the first 75 exhibitors to register will receive dash plaques for their cars.

Schowengerdt wanted to thank the financial underwriters of the annual contest. He said it would be hard to put on a successful show without the help of businesses and individuals like Max Motors, National TV Rentals, Arvest Bank, Wal-Mart, Cory Johnson of CMJ Financial and Wes Knell of State Farm Insurance. Schowengerdt said they have all been very supportive and generous.

Schowengerdt said everyone should plan on spending the day and having fun. There will be drawings and prizes. And there will be plenty of food and things to see and do.

Parking will be available just to the east of Schowengerdt's office and volunteers will direct traffic.

"This is a rain or shine event," We will have a large tent set up to provide people a place to get out of the rain or sun whichever the case may be, Schowengerdt said.

For more information contact Schowengerdt on his website at www.rdsdds.com or call (417) 667-7134.

Schowengerdt can also be found on Facebook.