News Release for Immediate Use August 21, 2016
* Editors – for specific event information contact event organizer Jim Matheny at 740-522-6635 or e-mail him Matheny1529@roadrunner.com)
“Lite the Nite Car Show” Returns to Downtown Newark on September 10, 2016
“ Lite The Nite” - Voted the #1 Downtown Car Show for the past 15 years by Cruisin’ Times Magazine - Ohio's premier car show returns to Newark’s downtown Square on Saturday, September 10th.
This is the 31st annual “Lite the Nite Car Show”. Organizers say the downtown sewer construction project will have a limited impact on the event as most of the Square and side streets will be available for the car show.
Show Chairman Jim Matheny, of the Newark Rodders Car Club, says some 600 vehicles including antiques, vintage, street rods, classics, motorcycles, and specialty cars, are expected on Newark's Courthouse Square and immediate side streets on September 10th.
This year the car show will be farther out on East Main Street. All cars should enter at East Main Street at First Street, as the West Main Street entrance is closed due to construction. Signs will be posted. Registration is from 9:00 am till 4:00 pm on that Saturday at a new location – on the sidewalk in front of the County Administration Building (next to Wendy’s). The registration fee remains $10.00 per entry.
Awards and trophies will be presented between 6:30pm and 7:00pm on the Southeast side of the Licking County Courthouse. Door prizes will be awarded throughout the day!
“Lite the Nite” Tee-shirts will be offered for sale. These are collectable items and a commemoration of the 31st annual show. MALCO of Ohio auto products is major sponsor of this 2016 event. And a special thanks to RCD sales for the trailer donation for use as show headquarters.
Monies raised by the Lite the Nite Car Show support the annual downtown Christmas Lighting Program for the Friday night after Thanksgiving, and the campaign for new permanent LED lighting on the Courthouse Tower. The colorful Courthouse holiday lighting will return next year after building restoration and maintaining a holiday tradition dating back to 1949. The Courthouse Park this year will be colorful with a full compliment of lighted lawn decorations.
This 2016 “Lite the Nite Car Show” is again being organized by Jim Matheny, and staffed by the dedicated members of the Newark Rodders Car Club. A unique feature of “Lite the Lite" are the 4-foot and 6-foot trophies awarded to the most popular vehicles on display. Sponsors of the trophies will assist with judging and selecting the winners.
This 31st annual “Lite the Nite Car Show” will feature a number of fund raising events during the day. The annual 50-50 drawing is the largest such event in Ohio, last year totaling over $2,500. Jim Matheny says, “The downtown construction is not going to deter the community from having a great event. Bring your families and help support this car show.”
A number of vendors and crafts will be displays on the Courthouse lawn, plus the supporting businesses located around the square. The 2016 “Lite the Nite Car Show” will feature a wide range of oldies music provided by the Newark Rodders.
Show Chairman Jim Matheny says, “Downtown Newark is beautiful and changing into an awesome showplace and everyone is invited to come down and help us celebrate our ‘31st Anniversary’ of Lite The Nite This car show is a great family tradition that is enjoyed by all. He says the organizers appreciate all the vendors, sponsors and participants who support this project.” And he adds, “Special thanks to the Licking County Commissioners and the City of Newark for supporting this great event.”
Tim Bubb , President of the Courthouse Christmas Lighting Committee says, "The “Lite the Nite Car Show greatly benefits the Downtown Newark Christmas project and is one of the best-attended all-day events in downtown Newark. It is also the annual gathering spot for several hundred classic car enthusiasts and the thousands who appreciate these unique vehicles”. Bubb adds, “the Courthouse Lighting Committee appreciates the dedicated efforts of Jim Matheny, the Newark Rodders Car Club, and the commitment of the participants and sponsors who come together to make this annual event a success.”
