Kansas: Sumner County Car, Bike Show taking place today in Wellington

This took place last week - so mark it on your calendars for next year:  Sumner County Car, Bike Show taking place today in Wellington

Wellington, Kan. — Just before the railroad tracks, in the 400 block of South Washington Avenue in Wellington is the place "Where downtown ends and the fun begins." Today the Sumner County Classic Car and Bike Show is taking place at Julie's Passtime Bar.

"Today's event is another way to raise money for the children of Sumner County," said Julie Crow, owner of the bar, and event organizer. "All of the proceeds from this car show will go towards the Sumner County Toy Run."  The toy run has taken place on the last Saturday in October for the last few decades.

"We've been doing the toy run for approximately 30-years," Crow said. "We started it with like 10 bikes, and it's just grown; sometimes we have more than 100 bikes." Last year, Crow said the toy run brought in about 3,000 dollars for the County's kids. With the added help of today's car and bike show, she hopes that amount will double this year.

"It's just kind of been dwindling number wise, and money wise," Crow added. "This is just another way we can raise funds for the kids." Around the Passtime Bar today, the street is lined with the shimmering sight of classic cars, and motorcycles. There will be live music with the Backroads Blues Band at 12:30 p.m., there is also a bikini motorcycle and car wash on the schedule, along with food vendors, which include barbecue by Tom Washington and John Wells.

There are also a number of awards that will be handed out by days end. There are 10 people's choice car, and bike awards, along with best paint and best in show for cars and motorcycles. Ballots are due by 3 p.m. today, with the awards presentation around 4 p.m.

With today's event leading up to the toy run in October, event organizers are always seeking more people who want to get involved.

"They can come talk to me [if they're interested in helping]," Crow said. "I'm always needing volunteers to help go out and round up new sponsors...I do a lot of it, and I've got a lot of good friends that help me, but you can always use more people." Julie's Passtime Bar is located at 424 S. Washington, and the phone number is 620-326-8618.

"It's just a matter of raising toys, raising food, and raising money for the less fortunate."