Despite mid-90s heat, vintage car enthusiasts gathered July 13 at Water’s Edge Golf Course for the weekly Worth Cruisers Car Show, where a 1930 Model T Ford sat alongside a Batman-emblazoned Pontiac Ram Air.
One spectator said that the car show usually draws large crowds and 150 entrants to the parking lot of Water’s Edge Golf Course, 7205 W. 115th St., in Worth.
He added that no matter how hot it is, participants enjoy showing off their classic vehicles to the delight of fans of all ages.
Jim Dugan, a longtime Worth resident, pulled up in his 1930 Ford Model T. He was joined by his grandchildren, Peyton Banko, 7, and her sister, Rylie, 4, of Chicago Ridge.
The two girls like to attend these events with their grandfather. Since the temperatures were still in the 90s in the early evening, they enjoyed some pink lemonade to help cool off.
“I’ve been going to this for at least four years,” Dugan said. “I go to a few of these including at 106th and Ridgeland on Thursday nights. It’s a lot of fun and they (the girls) always want to come here.”
Dugan said he occasionally drives the Model T but prefers not to be far from home.
Oak Lawn resident Ron Breier pulled up in his vintage ride, a blue 1929 Ford. Breier often shows up at the Worth Cruisers Car Show and attends a similar event in Hometown.
Breier has had the car since 2013 and he has worked on it over the years, combining parts from Michigan and Illinois. Most of the body of the vehicle is fiberglass now, he said.
“I drive it around a couple of times a week,” Breier said. “But I don’t go that far these days. But it is fun to come here.”
Participants and guests were able to deal with the heat. Many of them found shade near the end of the parking lot. Another group thought in advance and were seated under a large canopy, listening to music and drinking refreshments.
Pink lemonade and chips were also offered for a nominal fee. Some of the participants said there are other car shows but they enjoy attending this one because it is held every week.
Don Adams, of Oak Forest, was lounging in a lawn chair as visitors approached to ask about his car, a 1969 Buick Riviera GS. Adams said that when he bought the car it had 28,000 miles on it. He is now up to 44,000.
“I come here often and it is enjoyable,” Adams said. “I’ve competed in five national tournaments. I have a 1998 Buick Riviera and I drive that most of the time now. But I still like driving the other car but I want to keep the mileage down on the other one.”
Adams said the 1969 vehicle is still special. He competed in a 2022 Buick National event in Lisle.
Along with the vintage vehicles at the car show, some other notable entrants were on display in the parking lot. A black Pontiac Ram Air had Batman decals along the body of the vehicle and drew a steady flow of crowds.
Other classic and vintage models — including a 1960s Volkswagen and 1950 Chevys — were present at the car show.
Worth Trustee Rich Dziedzic, one of the chief organizers of the event, said the car show has been held for at least 15 years. The first scheduled car show was canceled in May due to heavy rains. Dziedzic was not deterred, saying that there would be many more shows throughout the summer.
The Worth Cruiser Car Shows are held from 5 to 8 p.m. every Monday through October. Besides the car show, “Burger Night” is featured at the adjacent Water’s Edge Bar & Grill. Guests can order ample burgers to their specifications along with sides of their choosing.
“Come out and see some really cool cars,” Dziedzic said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
