Another successful Blanco Classic Car Show - the 24th Annual - has come and gone. Saturday, May 19th featured a blue Texas sky and pleasant warm weather. About 1500 car enthusiasts walked among the cars and trucks parked along the banks of the Blanco River in the beautiful Blanco State Park. Park Superintendent Ethan Belicek generously allowed those viewing the show free entry into the park and supplied members of his staff to coordinate various park matters. Car owners had worked hard as usual to prepare their vehicles and provided an admirable showing to their fellow car owners and the public.

The local Blanco Masonic Lodge was the event’s managing sponsor. Mason Dobie Benson was the show’s project leader for the 11th straight year. Other Masons who were principal assistants included Lodge Master Sam Mowery who supervised logistic tasks; Greg Smith assisted by Terry Miller, Johnny Hudson, Frank Bushong and Chris Schonaerts who managed food service; Bennie Hudson who supervised T-shirt sales; Guy Anderson who was Chief Troubleshooter; Jack Webb as publicity manager; Dale Spreen who along with Keith Schuler supervised front entrance security; Robin and Clifford Benson who along with Nathan Heinson managed the operations tent activities; Bob Walker who assisted with several activities and Bill Rife who managed money matters and served as the show’s expediter.

Wives of Masons and members of Blanco Chapter 934 of the Order of the Eastern Star also assisted in key projects. Joan Miller, Karen Dye, Erika Spreen, and Jackie Flores operated the registration booth and counted ballots to determine prize winners. Charlene Bushon, Sharon Hudson, and Jessica Smith assisted with food service. The Blanco Volunteer Fire Department and Blanco EMS were also on hand in the park to serve as needed for emergencies.

A group of cheerleaders from Blanco High School assisted at various stations during the show. These young ladies also presented awards to various show winners and overall helped put a big smile on everyone’s face at the event. Blanco Lodge showed its appreciation and recognized their valuable contribution by awarding $500.00 to the cheerleading group.

As to be expected no car show is complete without the winners who are recognized with prizes. Show winners of various categories were selected by ballot of all the entrants and by the Blanco Mayor, Blanco State Park Rangers, Blanco High School Cheerleaders, and a top show sponsor who all spent considerable time examining the vehicles entered.

The “Best of Show” award went to Tom & Arlene Denning of Dripping Springs who entered a 1955 blue and beige Chevy Belair. The “Mayors Choice” award went to Tom Detwaler of Liberty Hill who entered a 1955 green Ford F-150. The “Park Rangers Choice” award went to Cliff Dye of Blanco who entered a 1930 chickle cobra drab colored Ford Deluxe five window coupe. The “Cheerleader’s Choice” award went to Barb Weber of Burnet who entered a 1965 titanium and black Shelby Cobra Roadster. The “Sponsor’s Pick” as selected by top sponsor Express Care Automotive of Blanco went to Bob White of Austin who entered a 1967 white and blue Mustang.

Individual awards went to the top 25 entrants who were selected by ballot of all the entrants. They were (in random order): Doug Hall of San Marcos, Randy and Donna Baxter of San Saba, Bob Deets of Marble Falls, Joe Paterson of Johnson City, Don Jones of Georgetown, Clif Dye of Blanco, Sam Detwaler of Liberty Hill, Al Cunnigham of Spring Branch, Jerry Hendricks of Blanco, Willis Ragsdale of Buda, Sonny Chance or Johnson City, Jim Boies of Mason, Barb Weber of Burnet, Ken Reid of Spring Branch, Tom Phillips of Dripping Springs, Tommy and Karen Miles of Wimberley, Tom Prager, Bruce Friar of Austin, Jean Garnett of Wimberley, Scott Alexander of Round Rock, Rober Redmond of Canyon Lake, Arnold Foradody of San Marcos, Tom Anderson of Bluffton, Tom Frazier of Mason, and Jim Dunkin of Dallas.

The show was indeed made possible by the many sponsors who purchased advertising. Sponsors were signed on by Masons Sam Mowery, Terry Miller, Cliff Dye, Dobie Benson, Bob Flores, and Bill Rife as the sponsor coordinator. The general public is especially urged to patronize the great local sponsors.

As is customary, proceeds from the show are used to fund scholarships, worthy non-profit organizations, deserving charitable causes and support for various community events during the year.

Project Leader Benson reports there were many participants and viewers to came to him and other staff members with glowing comments about how much fun the car show always is and how well it is administered. Benson emphasized that the Masons try hard to make the show continue to get better each year and are already looking ahead at planning for the 2013 show, scheduled as always for the third Saturday in May.