New York AutoFest took over the Sears parking lot in Hicksville this past Sunday and cars of all kinds were on display. The yearly event has been held in Hicksville for the past seven years and helps raise awareness for several important causes.
One of those projects is Flags for Classrooms. The owner and producer of New York AutoFest Leo Cerruti explained how he wanted to see more flags in school classrooms. “You would be surprised how many classrooms are lacking flags,” he said. Funds from the show, which cost $5 per ticket, go to help Cerruti’s cause.
The car show also raised awareness for the Pets for Vets fund which Long Island chapter director Tanya Sarlanis described as a program to train dogs for military veterans. She went on to say that “All the dogs are rescued from local shelters and paired up with veterans. The fund is not for any war in particular. As long as they are United States veterans then they are eligible.”
Spectators who went to the show were happy to be supporting the causes while taking in some classic automobile Americana. Oldies music filled the air along with the smell of hot pretzels and owners sat proudly by their automobiles answering questions. Craig Ripley of Floral Park brought his fire engine red ’67 Buick Skylark to display for the crowds.
“There are only four of these cars on Long Island today,” he said. “This car was in pieces when I bought it. The chassis was in a garage and the engine was in a container. The owner was going to sell it for parts on eBay but I was able to buy it before he sold it. I did all the work at a garage and me and my son painted a black stripe on the side of it. I like it because it’s unique.”
For more information on the New York AutoFest visit www.nyautofest.com.
