The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation of one of Seymour’s biggest downtown summer events.
Due to not knowing how long social distancing will continue, the Cars and Guitars committee has decided to not hold its annual car show and concert fundraiser this year.
It would have been the 16th year for the event, and plans were being made to honor event founder and organizer Dan Colglazier, who died Feb. 24 at the age of 87. The show was scheduled for June 27.
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Cars and Guitars committee President Gary Colglazier said after talking to state health officials and others, the decision was made to skip this year.
Gary is Dan’s son and also has been involved with Cars and Guitars since it started.
“We really hated to cancel, but with this virus and businesses closed or on limited income, it was best to move on,” he said.
He hopes the event can come back stronger than ever in 2021 and continue to raise money to purchase playground equipment and fund other parks initiatives that support children with physical disabilities.
Sounds of Summer, a Beach Boys tribute band from North Vernon, was scheduled to perform at this year’s free concert.
Gary said they have agreed to headline the show again next year. They last performed at Cars and Guitars in 2016.
The event has become one of the biggest car shows in the area, attracting up to 300 makes and models of vehicles, from classic and vintage to muscle and exotic cars, trucks and motorcycles and the people who love them.
Last year, the committee donated $6,000 to the Seymour Parks and Recreation Department.
In its history, the event has raised around $100,000 for playground equipment at Shields, Gaiser and Kessler parks. The committee is now working to purchase rubber matting to go around the equipment for improved access.