Schedule of Events “History on Wheels”

7:30 – 8AM: Car club members and volunteers arrive to set up registration

9AM – Noon: Registration of show cars

Noon – 1:30PM: Last Train Out performs on Showmobile Stage

Noon – 3PM: Car judging takes place, Captain Jack entertains families

2 - 4PM: Mark Doyle & the Maniacs performs on Showmobile Stage

3:30PM: Judging ends, Mayor Quill presents his trophy, followed by other winners and businesses that sponsored trophies.

Mark the Calendar for the City of Auburn 3rd Annual Founder’s Day Festival August 13th

There’s a full day of activities planned for Founder’s Day happening from 11AM – 5PM downtown, the day before the Great Race at Owasco Lake. This year’s theme, “History on Wheels,” will bring hundreds of antique cars, motorcycles and trucks downtown, plus the fun offerings of a traditional street festival.

Regional Artist Booths

Two dozen regional artists working in various media will set-up booths to showcase and sell their artwork and wares on Exchange Street Mall. Artists include Jeff & Patricia Lafler, Tracy Thompson, Tina Pealo, Donna Vanscoy, Catherine Latessa, Cheri Haring, Mary Saxton, Tom Hussey, Todd Foster, Carol Buttaro, Dawn Jordan, Kathryn Alonso-Bergevin, Amanda Tallcot & F.A.M.E, Karen Walter, Cayuga County Arts Council, Kimberly Dargle, Lisa Cohen, Tia Gorp, Kathleen Blanchard, Debbie Flynn & Michelle Wagner, Jessica Armstrong & Georgiana Waldron, Barbara & Joseph Blair and JoJo Newkirk. Categories include painting, sewing arts, drawing, pastel, photography, prints, clay, fiber, jewelry and more.

History on Wheels

The Founder’s Day car show is hosted by the Finger Lakes Region Antique Automobile Association (FLAACA), with help from the Prison City Ramblers who are providing volunteers to assist with registration, parking and judging. This year’s judges are Bill Preston, Scott Turney, Ed Spedding, Bill Spedding, Jim Vitale and Phil Simkin.

FLAACA reached out to car clubs all around central New York to gain interest and participation. A flea market featuring car-related memorabilia will be on Dill Street and Loop Road adjacent to the Boyle Center. A car corral featuring antique cars for sale will be located on William Street and Loop Road.

Car registration will happen in front of the Downtown Auburn BID offices, starting at 9AM. The judging will start at noon, one of the car show sponsors MetLife will present one of the trophies and have a booth to share information about their services. Another event sponsor, AmeriCu, will host an information booth as well; to promote their business expansion to Grant Avenue.

Other car show sponsors are numerous and they include: Waterloo Auto Specialist, Geneva Electrical Supply, Molly M. Headley Insurance Waterloo, Dunn Tire, Camillus Ridge Terrace, Anderson’s Automotive, Seneca Lake Terrace, Park Terrace at the Radisson, Speno Music, Inc., Bee Line Auto, Cayuga Lake National Bank, Shaw & Boehler Florists, Robert C. Dempsey Insurance Agency, Elbridge Ace Hardware, Amsoil Lubricants, The Liberty Store, EarQ, Pick & Pull Auto Parts, David’s Collision & Body, Liberty Welding & Radiator, Sennett Auto Supply, Gillespie Chevrolet, K&S Car Wash, Ward Tire & Wheel, Always Concrete Pumping Co., Auburn Chain Saw & Mower, AAMCO Transmissions, Northeast Batteries, Fox Dealerships, Sunset Restaurant, Pet’s Auto Repairs, Scott Motors, Farmboy Graphics, Auburn HSBC Bank, First Niagara Bank and Sherby’s Collision. After expenses, money raised by the car club is donated to charities, this year, Cayuga County’s Meals on Wheels program will benefit.

Antique cars and trucks will be parked along Genesee Street starting from the showmobile stage, stationed in front of Silbert Optical, and filter west towards the County Office Building, on both sides of the street. Historic cars will also be parked at City Hall and the Seward House Museum. The Cayuga Museum’s REO Speedwagon will be parked under the Schine Theater marquee, along with a display of historic car photos. Mike Antonacci of Eliminator Auto is organizing a motorcycle show, which will be featured on State Street between Genesee Street and Dill Street.

Live Music & Radio Broadcast

There will be ongoing musical entertainment during the day on the City’s showmobile stage. St. Alphonsus Choir will kick off the day with the National Anthem. Lou Kaplan and Last Train Out will perform from Noon – 1:30PM and Mark Doyle & the Maniacs performing from 2 – 4PM. From 9AM – Noon, oldies music and announcements will be provided by MC and DJ Jane Stebbins of Goodtime Charlie’s Mobile Entertainment.

Next to the showmobile, the Radio Group will air a live broadcast. From 10AM – Noon the Hot Country station WFLK will host, followed by the WALL from Noon – 2PM. People can register to win two prizes at the booth, a family fun pack with tickets for four, and a Toronto getaway.

Family Fun

There are free family activities all afternoon on Genesee Street. Cayuga County Sheriff’s Department will host their Safe Child Program inside the Genesee Mall. Food vendors and the family fun tent with jumpy houses and face painting will be located near the Cayuga County Office Building. Downtown restaurants will host food booths outside their business locations.

From Noon – 3PM Captain Jack (Rick Martinez) will entertain families, and also tie into a booth hosted by the Calvary Presbyterian Church. They will be selling cookbooks and t-shirts to benefit the local food pantries. Cayuga County Red Cross will have an information booth and sell cold water to keep festival patrons hydrated.

The Paranormal Investigators of CNY will also host a booth and do demonstrations with some of their “ghost buster” equipment. The United Church of Auburn will share a display of historic images at their booth, and Fire & Iron, the group responsible for the pending 9-11 sculpture at City Hall, will also host an information booth and sell t-shirts to benefit their projects.

The Girl Scouts will also host an information booth so people can learn more about the organization.

During the day, take a stroll further down South Street to pop into the annual Westminster Manor yard sale running August 12 – 13 from 9AM – 3PM. The residence is located at 81 South Street, and will be packed with interesting merchandise to purchase to benefit their organization.

Genesee Lights the Night after Founder’s Day August 13th

Come join fellow residents for this historic event from 7 – 10PM at Market Street Park with music by That 70s Band. Official countdown and relighting planned for 9PM hosted by North American Breweries, who owns Genesee Beer.

Car club organizer Jack Hardy shared, “What an action-packed weekend for Auburn! The car clubs were eager to host a show downtown, like other cities in the area, then with the Genesee Beer lighting party in the evening, and the Great Race the next day, the City will be at its best for residents and visitors alike.”