New Port Richey’s Founders Day Celebration is an occasion to celebrate the city’s rich and diverse heritage. It has the nickname “Hollywood of the East” because of its popularity with the Roaring 20’s Hollywood stars that made this sleepy little town a getaway from Hollywood’s hustle and bustle. Downtown New Port Richey is a Mecca of eclectic architectural designs ranging from Spanish revival to the gilded era of gold domed theaters and opulent small hotels like the Hacienda. Known for its ties with wild Prohibition antics (including Al Capone’s Moon Lake Lodge connection), it has also been a destination of rest and relaxation for golfer Gene Sarazen, where he invented the “sand wedge” iron. Babe Ruth came for the fishing, as did Johnny Cash. John Wayne hunted on local farms. The area where the car show was held around Orange Lake was once a circular auto race track. How fitting of a place to now hold an automotive exposition in 2008.

The popular family event commemorates New Port Richey’s founding in 1924 with a variety of activities, including live musical entertainment all weekend. The musical performers include a mix of traditional and present day folk, gospel, jazz and oldies - the same type of music enjoyed throughout New Port Richey’s history.

September 28th, 2008 was the final day of New Port Richey’s Founders Day Celebration and it culminated with a terrific Antique, Classic and Custom Car and Truck Show. This event was hosted by the affable and friendly members of the Sunset Corvette & Classic Car Club. The event was staged around picturesque Orange Lake in downtown New Port Richey. The weather was relatively mild with temperatures hovering in the low 80’s due mostly to a thick cloud cover, but the humidity was rather low and hence no rain. The staff members of the host club were very accommodating and congenial in assisting me in preparing this story. Many thanks to Tom, Joe, Marge, Sue, and Dee who was especially accommodating in assisting me.

The show’s awards consisted of a Top 25 plus 5 Best Of’s. Vehicles were judged based on a score sheet which consisted of three categories; Exterior, Engine Compartment, and Interior. There was also a category on the judging sheet which allowed the judge to predetermine a vehicle might be worth of a Best Of award. The Best Of awards consisted of; Best Of Show, Best Engine, Best Interior, Best Paint, and Best Graphics.

Pre-registered vehicles received a discounted registration fee, plus a complimentary T-Shirt and dash plaque. Day of show registrants were limited to dash plaques to the first 50 only. The 50/50 drawing benefited the Christmas for Adopted Military Unit and Toys For Tots, and $105 went to the winner. CN

Specialty Awards:
Best Of Show: Wayne Trent • 1953 Ford C-500 Transporter
Best Paint: Bud Verdi • 1950 Mercury
Best Interior: Bill Brown • 1923 Ford T-Bucket
Best Engine: Richard Roy • 1930 Oakland
Best Graphics: Stan Pidgursky • 1972 Chevy Nova