Summer car show called off, for now
Annual event unlikely due to construction near regular site
LANSDALE » An annual summer event schedule in Lansdale may have a notable absence in 2018.
Borough Manager John Ernst announced Wednesday night that the Fairmount Fire Company is currently planning not to hold its signature event due to construction downtown.
“I want to let council and the public know that we did receive word earlier this week, officially, from the fire department, that the ‘Under the Lights’ car show this year has been canceled,” Ernst said.
“For several reasons: primarily, one being that the construction of Madison Street has prohibited a lot of the staging area for cars to move from the Madison Street area onto Main Street for the show,” he said.
The 2018 ‘Under the Lights’ car show would be the 28th annual version of the event, which has traditionally been hosted by the fire company on the third Satur-
day in June on Main Street from Valley Forge Road to Broad Street and adjacent side streets. Admission is free, and classic cars from across the region typically descend on the downtown to show off for tens of thousands of visitors, and be judged in numerous categories. Registration proceeds benefit the fire company and registration of cars for the event typically happens in the Madison Lot.
Ernst made the announcement during his manager’s report at the close of Wednesday night’s council meeting, saying the road widening currently underway to add parking along Madison Street, and the adjacent work by developer Equus Capital Partners to build a series of apartment buildings atop the Madison Parking Lot, have put off limits space used by the car show in previous
years.
“I fully anticipate, and so does the fire department, that they will return next year, and be even better than before,” Ernst said.
Fire company officials could not be reached for comment Thursday, but in response to social media comments about the announcement from Ernst, Mayor Garry Herbert posted on Facebook that a solution could be in the works.
“I am sure they did not come to this decision lightly, as it is one of Lansdale’s marquee events and is a complicated event that involves many moving parts,” he said.
“Some community leaders and I are working on a solution that may enable the show to happen this year by reaching out to other community partners who have the existing structure to take on this complex project. Stay tuned, we are hopeful that we can find a solution,” Herbert said.
Online reactions on the “Citizens for the Revitalization of Lansdale” to news of the cancellation announcement were largely negative, with many hoping a solution of some sort could be found.
“Well we’re not gaining any space when construction is done. But hopefully it’s just this year. What a loss to the community. Always a fun night,” said Erica Colvin.
“Terrible. I was really looking forward to this,” said Justin Wherrity, and Chassity Ruby said she had asked about the event back in February.
“I find it really hard to believe that there can’t be another place to have vendors or some other way to get this together. My fear is that this will lead to the forgotten end of this very popular family friendly event for Lansdale,” she said.
Bryan Schmidt suggested moving vendors onto Main Street instead of their usual spots in the Madison Lot, and Keith Heilveil suggested using the former American Olean tile factory near Ninth Street.
“I truly hope that the loss of Madison lot does not cause a chain reaction and a loss of all of the wonderful large events that happen in our borough. Fingers crossed that alternate logistics can be worked out to ensure these annual events and future festivities stay here in town,” said Kelly Kile Williams.
“This is the one event we looked forward to every summer. So sad, I hope that something can be worked out,” MaryAnn Krauss said.