Organizers Revved Up for Clifton's Labor Day Car Show

Organizers are prepping for Clifton’s annual Labor Day car show on Monday.

“We’ve given over $175,000 to charities over the last few years,” said organizer Jim Chesley.

The annual show, which draws 5,000 spectators and about 400 car owners, is now in its 12th year. It will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday and is put on through a joint effort by the Clifton Lions Club and Custom Cruisers of Northern Virginia.

“The show gets bigger every year,” said Chesley, who is on the board of directors for the Custom Cruisers group and was the mayor of Clifton for over a decade. “It’s the only show within 100-plus miles of here that is on Labor Day."

Proceeds from the show will go toward two organizations: the Clifton-based Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program, a program which assists riders with disabilities, and Life With Cancer, an organization run out of Fairfax Hospital and that provides support services for cancer victims and their families.

The show is free to spectators, but those who want to show their cars have to pay a fee. All vehicles are welcome to display, Chesley said, though it’s recommended that owners get there early because space fills up quickly. Cars come from as far as New Jersey and Delaware.

“I take anything and the reason for that is I want to include as many as possible and have that money go to charity,” Chesley said.

In addition to the show itself, awards for show favorites are given out in the afternoon and a band will be playing.

The National Anthem is played in a noontime ceremony where Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova and Police Chief Dave Rohrer will be in attendance.

Hot dogs, hamburgers, and barbecue are also for sale. This year, Fairfax County Firefighters will compete in a Chili Cook Off.

“I love this because can show my passion, which is hot rods and cars and be able to make money for people who really need it,” Chesley said.

For more information on how to register, view Custom Cruiser’s website.