Rides of all kinds gather on shores of Bantam Lake

MORRIS — For the second annual Car Show held at Morris town beach, not only were classics welcomed — both domestic and foreign, street rods, customs, antiques old and new and muscle cars — but two new rides were added to the mix: motorcycles and tractors.

The Morris Beach and Recreation Commission and the Morris Fire Company collaborated on the event and Beach and Recreation Department Director Kristen Davila and Paul Adams of the Morris Fire Company decreed a successful turnout with nearly 200 vehicles of all kinds and an appreciative crowd on a perfect Autumn day at the shores of Bantam Lake. Davila and Adams were assisted by members of the Beach and Recreation Commission and the fire company’s volunteer firefighters, who were in charge of the concession stand. Proceeds from the event, which included a prize drawing and a 50/50 raffle, came in at over $2,000 and are being split evenly by the commission and the fire company.

Kristen Davila said, “We were thrilled with the turnout, especially in the middle of a pandemic. People really appreciate a sense of ‘normal’ life — with social distancing and cloth face coverings, of course! We had requested the participants to also bring a nonperishable food item and we received a tremendous show of support for the Morris Food Pantry as well.”

Dylan Hovey of Morris won for Best Tractor, Todd Bellmay of Morris for Best Motorcycle, a Triumph, and a 1969 purple VW bug was awarded the Commission Choice. Participants came from all over Connecticut: Patrick Downey of Meriden won for Best Muscle Car, Doug Washburn of Goshen scored for Best Traditional Hot Rod, and Randy Greenberg received Best of Show for his 1959 pink Cadillac.

Jo Ann Jaacks / For Hearst Connecticut Media Joe Rebot, left, and Ken Might, both of Morris, pose with Might’s 1996 Chevrolet Corvette at the Morris Car Show.

Sharon Sehl, of Litchfield, was happy to join the car show this year with her 1960 Morgan.