BRICK – Cars, trucks and other vehicles filled Windward Beach on a recent Thursday afternoon for the 20th Annual Brick PBA # 230 Car Show.
There were sports cars, classic cars, a life-sized Hot Wheels and one of the township’s most vintage fire trucks on display during the event which was part of the township’s Summerfest series of activities.
The classic firetruck has a rich history and Greg Kennedy shared its elaborate background. “This is a 1929 American LaFrance. It is a six cylinder, two cylinders per bell and believe it or not it is still operational.”
The truck stood out among the many that were parked within the Windward Park field that day. “We don’t fight fires with it of course but it still pumps,” he said. “We bought it for a dollar way back in the 60s and it came from Chatham. It was an original fire truck in Chatham.”
“One of the guys who owns one of the marinas here in town, he bought it for a dollar. It was repainted 24 years ago. We haven’t got it pinstriped. We are working on that but it is a work in progress and it belongs to the Brick Township Exempt Firemen’s Association,” Kennedy added. He is a former president of the organization.
The current president is Harry Wight, with James Kenney as vice president, Tom Giannattasio as treasurer, Gary W. Avazier as recording secretary and Raymond Ostarticki as financial secretary. Trustees include Kevin C. Batzel and Peter Quinlan along with Kennedy. For information email brickexempts@aol.com.
Kennedy said the truck hasn’t been in that many car shows like this one. “We basically use it for the Memorial Day Parades, for special occasions, the fire camp. We have a Fire/EMS camp during the summer and make a trek up there to show it off. We are participant in this show today that is being put on by the Brick Police PBA.”
Brick’s crimson treasure wasn’t the only fire vehicle on display. Another fire truck entry featured was a power wagon that was originally owned by the Laurelton Fire Department.
A number of trophies were positioned near the stage area gleaming in the summer sunshine for later presentation. Food trucks were present to feed spectators and participants who came out. The variety of food trucks included Butterfly Fries, Your Sweet Ice Cream, Funnel Cakes, Lemonade, Tony’s Sausage and Philly Cheese Steaks, Ohana and Chicken Tenders along with burgers and hot dogs.
Among the noted newer vehicles was car # 69, a 2023 Dodge Challenger owned by Dino Romano. To set the scene for the afternoon was music from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s on up.
PBA President Dave Thergesen who serves as a patrolman in the Traffic Safety Division of the department said they had around 250 cars. “The weather is with us today. Last year we got chased out by the rain but this is perfect with a nice breeze and not too hot. People are having a good time.”
“We have close to 20 (PBA members) guys,” he added. He said that among the many categories of vehicles, “what we did was 30 special recognitions. I have five guys going around to judge who are PBA members who will pick cars they like, the council will pick one on behalf of the mayor, the PBA president will pick a car, best in show and the other cars will be picked by our judges.”
“Because this is part of Summerfest those food trucks that do the Summerfest during the month of July get to so the car show, as well,” Thergesen added.
Thergesen said that the DJ music adds to the atmosphere. “My brother who is a retired police sergeant for the Brick Police Department has a Chevelle here. I brought my dad’s car. He had passed away but I always bring that – a Studebaker – so car shows have been in our blood for years so it is fun to be a part of it.”
Officers at the PBA table were distributing 20th Anniversary Car Show T-shirts. Right next to them were two board members of Kick Cancer Overboard, Ester Jordan and Jennifer Slavin-Glass. They were raising money for their cause which has helped out members of the Brick Police Department community.
“They help out anybody who has cancer,” Thergesen said. “One of our sergeant’s wives had cancer and they helped out. They are a very good organization and wanted to be part of this.”
Jordan explained that her granddaughter who had been diagnosed with cancer at the age of 4 lives in Brick. “She is 11 years old and she is thriving and doing well. In 2019 she was awarded a cruise from Kick Cancer Overboard and I saw how much it helped our family so I felt compelled to pay it forward.”
“I came up with the idea of making bracelets and get a $10 donation for each bracelet. Every few hundred bracelets that get sold get to sponsor a family on a free cruise to Bermuda and to date we’ve raised $320,000 and have sponsored over 110 families on cruises. We sponsor all local families. It is very rewarding,” Jordan added.
