Doylestown At Dusk Car Show Rolls Into Town This Weekend

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Doylestown Rotary Club is gearing up for its biggest event of the year - the Doylestown At Dusk Car Show - scheduled to roll into town on Saturday, July 15 with more than 500 vehicles.

Between 5 and 10 p.m., the public is invited to experience the sights and sounds of this year's show, which is promising to be "our biggest and best show yet" with additional music and a rare appearance by twin 1923 fire trucks, said show chairwoman Helen Amelsberg.

"The evening is going to be absolutely phenomenal," said Amelsberg. "You can already feel it. The excitement is in the air. People are looking forward to the show. Some people book restaurants a year in advance. It's becoming a huge attraction. I would not be surprised if we hit 25,000 people this year."

Vehicles of all makes and models, all colors and sizes, and dating from the early 1900s to 2023 will fill the streets of Doylestown Borough along West Court and West State streets between Main and West streets.

"You will see just about everything at the show," said Amelsberg. "A Model T will be n one slot. You walk another six feet and there's a Ferrari. You walk another six feet and there's a motorcycle. You walk another six feet and there's a Lamborghini and a Porsche. You don't know what's going to be around the next corner. The excitement builds as you're walking through the show."

Amelsberg said there will be plenty of opportunities to meet with and talk with the drivers. “They are very passionate and excited to have their car seen in the show,” she says.

Heart Of The Show

At the heart of the show is the main stage area where State, Court and Clinton Streets come together. Look for the fire truck displaying the giant American flag.

The evening kicks off at 4:45 p.m. on the main stage with the National Anthem sung by opera singer Liz Battaglia. The anthem will be followed by a welcome and introduction by emcee Jordan Meserole and opening remarks by Mayor Noni West.

Entertainment offerings have been expanded this year with two bands performing at the main stage - Without George at 5 p.m. and Springbrooke at 7:30 p.m.

Entertainment will also be located throughout the show area with the 25-voice acapella Rock N Roll Chorus performing at Plaza West at 5 and 6:30 p.m., Last Dance (A Tom Petty Experience Band) at Villa Capri at 5:30 p.m., Harry Walther & Friends at West State and Main at 7 p.m., and acoustic guitarist Tyler Beck at West State and Franklin at 7 p.m.

Beginning at 6 p.m., teams of judges will fan out across the show area to inspect each vehicle. The major award winners will be announced at 9 p.m. on the main stage. This year's top trophies include the Mayor's Choice Award, the Longest Distance and the Ruth Rutherford Best of Show Award. A special award will also be announced this year, said Amelsberg.

Fire Company History

Among the show's many highlights will be a rare chance to see two 100-year-old Ahrens-Fox 1923 fire trucks staged side-by-side at the show. One of the trucks is owned by the Doylestown Fire Company No. 1. The other is owned by the Union Fire Company of Lambertville. Both trucks are celebrating their centennial this year.

Proceeds Benefit Community

One of the best parts of the show, said Amelsberg, is that all the proceeds raised from registration fees and sponsorships are donated back to the community by the Doylestown Rotary Club, which is motivated by three simple words, “Service Above Self.”

For the first time this year, the Rotarians will be handing out checks at the car show to six community nonprofit organizations from money raised during last year's show. Traditionally the donations have been made at a Rotary Club meeting.

"The Doylestown After Dark Car Show is a phenomenal show, but the purpose of the car show is actually to give back to our community," said Amelsberg. "So we decided to give out our grants at the show."

The check presentation begins at 7 p.m. on the main stage.

"This is a critical fundraising event for the Doylestown Rotary Club. Every penny we make with the show goes back into the community," said Amelsberg. "We take the money we make and we give it back to the community's nonprofit organizations."

On hand to accept donations from last year's show will be representatives from Beds for Kids, the Bucks County Opportunity Council, Family Services of Bucks County, Network of Victim Assistance, Welcoming the Stranger and the TLC Child Care Center.

For many years the show was held on the baseball fields at Central Bucks West High School and was called “The Heart of Bucks.” About 13 years ago, the late Bruce Rutherford had the idea of moving the show to the streets of Doylestown and creating more of a cruise-like atmosphere.

Rutherford passed away in 2020, but his legacy lives on with the show. And he will be remembered on Saturday at 9 p.m. when the Rotarians present the Bruce Rutherford Memorial Best of Show Award to the best vehicle of the night.