Litchfield’s CJR holding Cars for Kids show today

LITCHFIELD — The Valley Collector Car CluB and the Litchfield Hills Historical Automobile Club will collaborate with the Connecticut Junior Republic Sunday in presenting the 9th Annual Cars for Kids Automobile Show.

This event will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Junior Republic’s Litchfield campus on Route 63, with gates opening at 8 a.m. for exhibitors. The rain date is Oct. 16. The first 100 exhibitors will receive a dashboard plaque. The initial 200 show car registrants will receive exhibitor bags. Show car entries are $10 per car.

A prize drawing for exhibitors will be held at 1:30 p.m. and more than 20 trophies will be presented at 2:30 p.m. Spectator admission is $5 per car with unlimited occupancy.

Hay rides and tours of the CJR farm will be offered and a silent auction featuring nearly 40 items will be conducted from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Breakfast sandwiches and hot dogs, hamburgers, a barbecued chicken sandwich, chips, and beverages will be sold at the show.

The Litchfield Aid of CJR will also host its annual bake sale, featuring breakfast baked goods, cakes, cookies and other goodies. The CJR Farm Market will sell autumn squash, chrysanthemums, pies and other seasonal and studentcrafted items, including Adirondack chairs.

Union Savings Bank is the event’s top level Concours Sponsor and FM 97.3 WZBG is the Media Sponsor. Proceeds from the show will benefit the Junior Republic.

“With the leadership of some very special friends, including Union Savings Bank and FM 97.3 WZBG, and the support of many other generous businesses and organizations, and our sponsoring car clubs, we hope to exceed the $33,000 raised in net proceeds last year, and to top the nearly 400 show cars and total attendance of 1,100 exhibitors, spectators and volunteers that made these results possible,” said event Chair Joseph Greco of Litchfield. He indicated that all proceeds will benefit the young people and families served by CJR in locations across Connecticut.

Both the Litchfield Hills Historical Automobile Club and the Valley Collector Car Club are non-profit groups dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of classic automobiles and to supporting charities in the community.“This show welcomes antiques, muscle cars, trucks, custom cars, exotics and street rods, and we anticipate a great turnout this year,” said Glenn Royals, President of the Litchfield Hills Historical Automobile Club. He noted that special sections for electric vehicles and other marques are being added this year as a result of the interest of several Connecticut car clubs.

Founded in 1904, the Connecticut Junior Republic (CJR) provides care, treatment, education and family support for young people so they may become productive and fulfilled members of their homes, schools and communities. Today, the organization’s combined programs serve approximately 1,600 boys and girls annually.For further information, contact Hedy Barton, Director of Development and Public Relations at 860-567-9423, extension 252; or email hbarton@cjryouth.org.