Cherrietters Car Show to Benefit Veterans
Aug 19, 2024 03:45PM ● By Annie Kerr
A 1953 Ford Ranch Wagon won Best Cruiser in a previous year. Photo courtesy of Cindy Gano
RIO LINDA, CA (MPG) - The Cherrietters Car Club of Rio Linda, in partnership with the American Legion Riders, Chapter 521, will host their 18th annual Classic Car & Motorcycle Show from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 7 in Rio Linda.
The car club is the oldest car club in the Sacramento Valley, according to Cindy Gano, secretary of both the Cherrietters Car Club of Rio Linda and the American Legion Riders.

The Classic Car & Motorcycle Show will begin with a rifle salute from the American Legion, paying tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Photo courtesy of Cindy Gano
The car show is held to give back to the community, according to event organizers.
Free for the public to attend, the Sept. 7 show will take place at the historic Dry Creek Ranch House, 6852 Dry Creek Road, Rio Linda.
In addition to the show will be a swap meet, allowing attendees to trade secondhand items with each other.

This 1932 Ford Coupe was named Best Rat Rod in 2023. Photo courtesy of Cindy Gano
A wide variety of classic automobiles and motorcycles will be on display. Cherrietters Car Club President Bob Perryman said there are usually anywhere between 75 and 150 cars at the show, all brought by locals.

Best Low Rider in 2023 went to a 1964 Chevy Impala. Photo courtesy of Cindy Gano
Cars previously featured include a 1932 Ford Coupe, a 1954 Buick Special and a “deuce and a half,” which is a classic military truck, according to Gano.
Cars are judged and top scorers are awarded trophies.
However, the show is not restricted to just cars and motorcycles.

The Best Motorcycle last year was awarded to a 2015 Victory Cross Country. Photo courtesy of Cindy Gano
“There have been speedboats at the show before,” Gano said.
According to Perryman, the car show was started 18 years ago to help fund the Rio Linda/Elverta Historical Society, but over the years, has morphed into an event that helps support local veterans. All show proceeds will be donated to local veterans’ programs and food banks, benefiting the local community. Perryman mentioned about a total of 1,000 visitors stop by each year.

Many vendors will be at the event, as well as a swap meet, where customers can trade items. Photo courtesy of Cindy Gano
Kicking off the event will be a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony, complete with rifle salutes from the American Legion and a rendition of the National Anthem. Officers from both CHP and the Twin Rivers Unified School District Police Department will be in attendance, according to Gano.
Hamburgers, kettle corn, coffee and shaved ice will be sold. Other vendors will offer arts and crafts, tie-dyeing and an artist hand-painting vinyl albums.
There will be a kids’ zone and youth can get their faces painted for free.
Additionally, attendees can enter a $5 prize drawing. The grand prize winner will receive a plasma cutter, most often used for automobile repair.
Why should residents come to the show?
“This is a great way to come support your community,” Perryman said. “Everything we put into this event, we put back out into the community for our veterans.”
Gano echoed his statement.
“It’s great seeing everybody come together. Everybody’s there to enjoy themselves and have a nice outing. Politics, race, none of that matters there. Everyone is just there to see some cars, eat good food and give back to veterans,” Gano said.
Any classic car owner who would like to add their car or motorcycle to the show will pay an entry fee of $20. Interested car owners can contact Perryman at 916-873-5007. There is no pre-registration available for showing a vehicle, so those interested in showing will just need to bring their car on the day of the event.
Vendor openings are still available and those interested can contact Gano at 909-499-4278.

Pictured here is a 1947 Buick Special shown in a previous year. Photo courtesy of Cindy Gano