It says a lot when a local club’s own annual event actually pre-dates the club itself. The Music City Mopar Club (MCMC) celebrated its 25th anniversary this September, and to mark the celebration, hosted the 26th annual All Mopar Car & Truck Show this past weekend at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon (pronounced “Leb’nin” by locals), Tennessee. Over the past few years, small changes have been made the show’s format that have only served to grow the show’s attendance year after year. With several new additions and features ready for this year, only Mother Nature could thwart the Middle Tennessee club’s plans. And that’s exactly what she did.

Earlier in the week, projected weather reports foretold extremely pleasant conditions, but as Friday neared, so loomed a tropical depression carrying over from the Atlantic. Friday marked the 4th Annual “Kruzin’ at the Cruise-In” scheduled to begin at 4pm that afternoon. The cruise was preceded by a zero entry fee buffet of authentic Cajun food provided by the New Orleans Mopar club. Gumbo, red beans and rice and jambalaya pleased the crowd while sheets of rain fell down from above, drenching the grassy fairgrounds and the classic and modern muscle cars nearby.

It looked as if the cruise would be canceled until a brief break in the downpour egged the crowd to attempt the “convoy style” drive over to Lebanon’s “Snow White Drive-In” to join their Friday night Cruise In. Directly Connected‘s own Editor-in-Chief Kevin Shaw (either bravely or stupidly) weathered the wet stuff behind the wheel of our ’69 Dodge Charger project car “Brazen” to join the fun, and even paired up with Directly Connected‘s Technical Editor Mike Wilkins (who was serving as a judge for the show the next day) to lead the procession through town.

With more rain beginning to fall as the group enjoyed their soft serve ice cream and hot dogs, Shaw fired up the big stroker Wedge, and piloted the Brazen Charger the hour back home, careful not to break the Hoosier slicks loose on the wet asphalt, while Wilkins lead the group back to the fairgrounds for a classic car movie on the 55-inch flat screen HD TV that was to be raffled off Saturday afternoon during the awards ceremony.

The next morning saw more of the same, but the “rain or shine” policy was still in place. While last year welcomed over 170 cars, the numbers were understandably slimmer (roughly 130 cars) given the weather. Thankfully, by mid-morning the clouds parted and the sun began to dry up what puddles remained from the night’s rain.

The 26th annual car show announced the year’s theme as the “Year of the Cat” to celebrate the new 2015 Challenger and Charger Hellcats. Additionally, the show allowed for 28 Mopar Show Classes, plus several Special Awards. A special 50/50 drawing to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital was held and the aforementioned big screen TV raffle that afternoon. As an added treat, a portable chassis dyno was also on site.

Directly Connected was on site again with our on-going Charger, which fetched some very appreciative glances and quite a few compliments, including from Forrest Pitcock (and son) of Golden Commando fame. We also sponsored a special street class. That night invited those visiting from out of town to take advantage of some end-of-the-season car cruises around the Nashville area while others chose to settle in early for Sunday’s “free day.” Sunday has become less and less of a priority for the show, as many chose to load up the trailers and head home to make it back to work on Monday.

Despite the weather upset, the show produced miles of smiles and that is what it is all about. This Middle Tennessee tradition shows zero signs of slowing down and the Music City Mopar Club thanks sponsors Trinity Air Ambulance, Hunter’s, Tennessee Speed Sport and Stephen’s Performance with special thanks to Nashville Dodge Chrysler Jeep and everyone who lent a hand in making this year a success!

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