Car shows on Long Island: 3 worth a Sunday drive
A Batmobile replica, a "Dukes of Hazard"-style hot rod and a 1957 Chevy with a black handlebar mustache painted on the hood are among the custom jobs expected to show up for the annual Classic Car Cruise for America's VetDogs, April 12, 2015, which runs from Farmingdale-to-Orient Point auto parade. Credit: Bill Carberry
Whether you've spent the winter longing for the fresh air and sunshine, or pining for the satisfying roar of cruising hot rods, Sunday is a chance to shake off cabin fever at local car cruises and swap meets.
Among the events drawing Long Islanders out and into auto and vendor-filled lots are a car and motorcycle show in Calverton, a collectible and custom car show in Ronkonkoma and a classic car cruise from Farmingdale out to Orient Point on the North Fork.
As you drive your vintage roadster or wander around chatting up the Island's other car aficionados, you can also pride yourself on helping two locally based charities -- both of which involve America's favorite canine companions.
HOGS AND HOT RODS ROCK THE SHELTER
WHEN | WHERE Noon-5 p.m. Sunday at Splish Splash Waterpark, 2549 Splish Splash Dr., LIE exit 72W, Calverton
INFO 516-768-7467, rmtas.org
ADMISSION $5 ($10 show car registration includes driver)
About 200 cars and 150 motorcycles are expected to fill the Splish Splash parking lot at this combination car and motorcycle show and swap meet.
"It's a ginormous street fair," says organizer Denise Lucas, 47, of Riverhead. Like last year, about 3,500 persons are likely to attend, many seeking bargains on secondhand items, cosmetics, jewelry, hair accessories and baseball cards.
Not in a browsing mood? Set up your folding chair for a concert by Blue Ice, a Riverhead group specializing in hits from the 1970s and '80s.
Proceeds from this event support Riverhead Move the Animal Shelter, a nonprofit that is raising funds for local dog parks and the replacement of the town animal shelter, says organizer Denise Lucas of Riverhead.
CLASSIC CAR CRUISE FOR AMERICA'S VETDOGS
WHEN | WHERE 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, starts at Airport Plaza, 234 Airport Plaza Blvd. (corner of Route 110 and Conklin Street), Farmingdale
INFO 516-860-9309, empiregalaxies.weebly.com
ADMISSION $20
A Batmobile replica, a "Dukes of Hazard"-style hot rod and a 1957 Chevy with a black handlebar mustache painted on the hood are among the custom jobs expected to show up for the annual Farmingdale-to-Orient Point auto parade.
"It's like a rolling car show," says Bill Carberry of Hicksville, president of the Long Island chapter of the Empire Galaxy Car Club, who will lead the pack in his 1959 Ford Galaxy. Anyone with a car is invited to join the 100 or so collectors expected to take the route east in the Long Island Expressway HOV lane, to the Home Depot parking lot in Riverhead, then along Sound Avenue to Orient Beach State Park. After posing for a photo on the beach, they'll head back to Southold for a buffet dinner ($20 per person).
Raffle tickets ($2) will be sold all day for such prizes as merchandise and gift cards. The proceeds benefit America's VetDogs, which trains and places assistance dogs with wounded veterans.
LONG ISLAND CARS COLLECTIBLE AND CUSTOM SHOW AND SWAPMEET
WHEN | WHERE 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at MacArthur Airport field 10, Ronkonkoma (one light south of the airport's main entrance on Veterans Highway)
INFO 631-567-5898, longislandcars.com
ADMISSION $8 (free ages 12 and younger)
Muscle cars, exotic cars and antique roadsters from the early days of automobiles are among the classic rides usually on display at this monthly event.
"Most of the cars are from the 1960s to the 1980s," says event manager Phyllis Aquino of Oakdale. Looking for parts for a 1973 Chevy Impala? You just might find it here among the 200 vendors selling auto parts, T-shirts and other auto-related merchandise.
