An annual car show that benefits the Orland Township Food Pantry is much more than just a food drive. It’s also a drive-in, complete with a big screen to show a kids movie at dusk.
Notably, the event — the Spirit of America Car Show and Drive-In — has grown in popularity to the point that officials decided it had to be moved this year from an auto repair business parking lot to Orland Park Crossing, a shopping center just northeast of 143rd Street and LaGrange Road in Orland Park.
The turnout on Saturday evening for the show was promising, with more than 100 cars entered. Last year, the show raised $2,500 from entry fees, food sales, raffles and T-shirts.
“This year, we are on track to double that amount,” said Tracy Bratcher, of Mokena, one of the organizers in recent years. “This event is unique because it’s more of a community event for both families and local businesses. The local area businesses supply goods and monetary contributions, which allows us to donate 100 percent of the night’s proceeds to the Orland Township Food Pantry.”
Visitors were also welcome to bring nonperishable food items.
The car show wasn’t just for adults. Kids were invited to create cars out of cardboard boxes.
“I love the drive-in movie concept for the children with the cardboard cars,” said Cheryl Baran, of Orland Park, whose kids, Aubrey, 2, and Erik, 3, were among those participating. “It’s a new idea that is really growing in popularity.”
Children seemed to love the concept just as much as the adults.
“Making my own car was so much fun,” said Alani Lopez, 6, of Blue Island.
For the main car show, 111 vehicles were entered. The Best in Show went to Ron Santoro, an Orland Park-based real estate broker who built his 1981 Corvette, which is known as “Too Squirrelly.”
The Spirit of America Car Show started in 2009 as a small car show hosted by Bratcher Enterprises in the parking lot of the Midas auto repair shop at 14810 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park. The movie screen was added the following year, allowing families to gather and view the Disney/Pixar movie, “Cars.”
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“As the event continues to grow in popularity every year, we have decided to move it to a larger location,” Bratcher said.
Bratcher was the lead organizer of the event in previous years, but reduced her role this year due to the birth of a child in May. The board this year included Walter Bratcher and Joe Wattenberg, of Orland Park Midas; Lynn Ciadella, of Parkway Bank & Trust Co.; Ramzi Hassan, of Edwards Realty Co.; and Pat Gleason, of Pat Gleason Marketing Services.
The car show entrants paid a $25 entry fee per classic vehicle. The cost included a T-shirt, dash plaque, goody bag and meal voucher. There was no entry fee for the 30 children who created cardboard cars.
Food was available throughout the evening, which also featured a disc jockey, band and kids area.
“The proceeds from this show go to a great cause,” said Mike Heavrin, of Palos Hills, who entered his Corvette in the car show. “I think it’s wonderful when car shows give the money to charity.”
The Orland Township Food Pantry distributes items to 200 families per month throughout Orland Township, Bratcher said, and it relies on help from the community to keep its shelves stocked.
Kelly White is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.