Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
The 35th Annual Roanoke Valley Mopar Car Show was held Saturday at the Salem Civic Center.
The event attracted 135 vehicles.
Terri Bashlor, secretary of the Roanoke Valley Mopar Club, said that the club’s members were very pleased with how the event turned out. She added that the good weather aided in participant turnout.
Even some new car owners decided to participate this year. One gentleman just so happened to see a segment about the event on the local news the night before, then decided to attend.
Outside judges handed out over 100 awards. Dash plaques were given for modern Mopar, classic Mopar and Jeep categories.
Proceeds from the event will benefit St. Judes, Children’s Research Hospital, Blue Ridge Women’s Center, St. Francis Service Dogs and Chuck’s Kids. Over $5,000 was raised Saturday. St. Judes receives proceeds from the event every year. The other three charities that the event benefits change from year to year, which the membership decides on.
“The Roanoke Valley Mopar Club hosts this show each year to raise money for our charities and have been doing so for 35 years,” Bashlor said. “We are all for giving back to our community.”
The Roanoke Valley Mopar Club was formed in 1987 out of an appreciation of Chrysler Corporation (Mopar) vehicles, including both classic and modern Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Plymouth, AMC, Eagle, Hudson, Nash and Willys vehicles.
“Our membership ranges in age from teens to octogenarians. We all love cars and we have a good time doing what we love. Anyone with a Mopar is welcome to join,” Bashlor said.
