The Palmerton Borough Park was packed on Saturday with cars, trucks, and motorcycles as the Palmerton Pace-Makers Association held their annual Palmerton Car Show last Saturday.

According to club founder Terry Costenbader, they have been hosting the car shows since 1990.

The only year they did not have one was last year due to COVID-19. With restrictions easing up, the club decided to hold the 2021 show. More than 250 vehicles were on display this year.

“It’s all fun,” Costenbader said. “It’s a way for everyone to have fun.”

The show featured something for everyone: Coloring contests for the kids to win bicycles, a basket auction, a 50/50 drawing, and Dale’s Concessions was back with plenty of delicious foods.

One thing that sets this car show apart form others is that members of the public choose the winners, and Pace-Makers likes it that way.

“I think that draws a lot more people to it, “said Dale Steigerwalt, who handles publicity for Pace-Makers. “We let everyone know it’s judged by the public, many who may have little to no car experience. That way there are hopefully no hurt feelings.”

Steigerwalt said members of the public are given certificates for the various categories, and they will go find a vehicle for that category that they like, and put their certificate on the windshield or on the seat of that car. The certificates are then gathered together and the winners announced. There are 26 categories. Again, something for everyone.

And how did the “Best Power Wheels for the Kids” category come about?

“That started two years ago,” Steigerwalt said. “We had a young man bring his Power Wheels because he wanted to go to the car show with his dad. We gave him a dash plaque, and he was all ecstatic. We thought, ‘This is great!’ So we decided to add a class for ‘Best Power Wheels.’?”

The proceeds benefit the community.

“Any money we generate, we give back to the community, back to the kids somehow. Whether it be with sports, with Little League, or a booster club, maybe safety equipment for the kids, because that kind of stuff can get expensive. So they just fill out a grant application and bring it in person to one of our meetings so we can approve it. In the past, we have donated playground equipment like the kind here in the Palmerton Park, West End Ball Field, Towamensing, Lower and Towamensing.”

Any organization that serves children in the area is encouraged to contact Pace-Makers Association at palmertonpacemakers@gmail.com. The website is http://clubs.hemmings.com/pace-maker.

Winners

Best Power Wheels (Kids): Gunner Gonzalez

Best Convertible: Dave Roberts 1966 Ford Cobra

Boys Choice (age 13-16): Jeff Hall 1969 Chevy Camaro

Girls Choice (age 13-16): Al Mennella 1987 Army truck

Best Paint job: Garry Warmkessel 1965 Corvette

Best Pickup Truck: Brian Liselle 1954 Ford

Best Graphics: Brian Quinn 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Best Street Rod: Michael Stepp 1981 Buick Regal

Palmerton Borough Council Choice: Dave Roberts 1966 Ford Cobra

Palmerton Mayor’s Choice: David Kemmerer 2001 Chevy Corvette

Best Grocery Getter: Shana Markowitz 1960 Rambler

Highest 4X4: Al Mennella 1987 Army Truck

Best Motorcycle: Dan Forte 1963 Harley-Davidson

Best Rat Rod: Chris Nace 1941 Chevy Sedan

Furthest Driven: Theresa Marie Guidice, 2013 Dodge Challenger, from Blue Springs, Missouri

Best Getaway car,: Dale Ehret 1987 Buick Grand National

Best Engine: Jim Fisher 1932 Ford

Best Interior: William & Marlene Shook Chevy Chevelle

Best Tuner Car: Jeremy Rothermel Subaru STI limited

Best “Under Construction”: Dale Ehret 1987 Buick Grand National

Best “Pro Street”: Tony Zastro 1930 Ford Model A

Best Muscle Car: Allen Keiser 1965 Chevy Chevelle SS

Best Corvette: Ron Bird 1965 Stingray

Best Late Model (2000 and newer): Frankie Gonzalez 2008 Dodge Charger

Oldest Vehicle: Bryan Barnhart 1926 Ford Model T

Best Attending Car Club: Street Alliance (16 cars)