The red pickup in Alan Groome’s garage reflected the overhead lights as if he had just driven it off the lot, but it has been decades since the antique truck has been in a dealer’s hands.
Groome said he bought the 1941 Ford in rough shape from two cabinetmakers about 12 years ago, then took 10 years to gather parts and another year to restore it. Now he’s ready to show off the truck at a Labor Day weekend festival in Simpsonville.
“They only produced 2,200 of them,” he said. “This is kind of a rare truck.”
The three-quarter-ton Ford is among the vehicles expected to make their way onto Main Street for a car show that has traditionally been one of the headlining events for the Labor Day Family Fun Festival.
The festival’s 38th year will run from Saturday through Monday and has been set up to deliver something for everyone in the family, including carnival rides, a cornhole tournament and a “Toddler Town” with a petting zoo.
“It’s a big tradition in Simpsonville,” said Allison McGarity, development coordinator for the Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Admission and parking are free, but some activities have various costs.
More than 20,000 people are expected to attend, according to the chamber, which is organizing the event.
Serge Guillot said the festival makes it one of the busiest weekends of the year for the Ice Cream Station, the shop he owns just a few steps from the railroad tracks and the city’s iconic clock tower.
“It’s great for bringing new people to the Simpsonville area to see what downtown has to offer,” he said.
Activities will be on North and North East Main Street between College and Curtis streets.
The big day for the festival is on Monday, starting with a farmers market from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The Antique and Classic Car Cruise-In goes from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and costs viewers $1, with children under 12 admitted free. Car registration is $13.
As many as 150 cars have arrived for past shows, but no one knows how many will be in this year’s show until the day it happens, Groome said. Several trophies will be given to the top cars, including a “people’s choice” prize awarded according to viewers’ votes.
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