By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

GOT CHROME?

The 19th annual Benicia Classic Car Show, presented by the Benicia High School Panther Band, will draw hundreds of pre-1976 American-made cars and trucks — the pride of early Detroit — to downtown and the First Street Green on Sunday.

The show that has become one of the premier spring events in Benicia isn’t just an opportunity to see some of the finest rides between two fenders. It’s also for a good cause — “our biggest fundraiser for the Benicia Panther Band,” said Bob DiStefano, car show chair for band’s boosters.

For their biggest fundraiser, the Panthers pull out all the stops. In addition to the cars — there were 400 last year, up from an average of 380, DiStefano said — there will be arts and crafts vendors, car merchandise, a raffle and demonstrations. And of course music — lots of music.

DiStefano said the Panther Band will open the event with the national anthem; a new band group called “Solar Prominence” will play for the first time at 9 a.m.; and, following tradition, the high school Jazz Ensemble will perform at 11 a.m. Disc jockey Joe LaTona will fill the empty moments with oldies.

They’ll be entertaining car enthusiasts from all over the Bay Area — in fact, “all over Northern California,” DiStefano said. Most hail from the immediate area, including Benicia’s own car club, Boyz Under the Hood, but many come from places like Brentwood, Antioch and farther afield.

In short, expect a lot of cars. It doesn’t hurt that the weather is forecast to be clear, calm and warm.

“There will be cars as far as all the way out to the pier, and over by Sailor Jack’s, all behind the Depot,” DiStefano said. “All of the grass will be taken up.”

After 19 years, the show has gained a reputation as one of the easiest to attend, in one of the friendliest venues in the Bay Area, DiStefano said. The clubs have responded.

“We’re very lucky that so many car clubs support us,” he said. “Actually all of the car show people are really fun to talk to.”

The show was originally organized by former high school band director Dalt Williams when it launched in 1993. Back then it was held at the high school, but as it grew in popularity it needed a larger location, DiStefano said.

“In 2006 they moved to the First Street Green so they could expand,” he said, a move wholeheartedly supported by the city. “The city of Benicia has been very nice to allow us to do this. They’re very cooperative. They help us a lot with all of the logistics. We’re very fortunate to have the city behind us.”

Funds raised by the show and other fundraisers help the band fund their activities, like their recent trip to New York for the St. Patrick’s Day parade, DiStefano said.

It also helps with the mundane expenses, he said, like cleaning uniforms and getting new instruments. “Equipment is so expensive,” he said.

In his first year as car show chair, DiStefano gives a lot of credit to the show’s supporters and participants. “I have about 14 people on my committee, so I am by no means alone,” he said. “They’ve all been doing a lot of work to keep this going. The booster alumni, the ones who have had their kids graduate, they still come back to help out.”

The band also takes an active role, he said. At least two members have little choice: DiStefano, who teaches fifth grade at Lone Tree Elementary School in Antioch, has a daughter and son at Benicia High — and both are in the band.

“The whole band comes to the car show on different shifts to help out. Not only do they perform, but they help with checking in the cars, and at registration, and raffles. They’re helping out all over the place.”

If You Go
The Benicia Classic Car Show will take place on the First Street Green from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The show is free to spectators; cost to enter is $30. For more information call 707-742-3590 or email carshow@pantherbandboosters.com.