Recording-breaking year for Syracuse Nationals
Event brought more than 86,000 attendees and 7,500 cars to the New York State Fairgrounds
SYRACUSE, N.Y.– The 12th annual Syracuse Nationals drew 86,748 people and 7,589 classic cars from 40 different states and most Canadian provinces to the New York State Fairgrounds July 15-17.
The 2011 Syracuse Nationals raised more than $85,800 for charity throughout the weekend including more than $63,000 from items auctioned off during “Artie’s Party,” a pinstripers’ panel jam of artists who work almost around the clock during Syracuse Nationals to paint original designs on items from vehicle panels to mailboxes. This year also included a pinstriped golf cart that was auctioned off for $2,000. The proceeds from the auction benefitted the McMahon/Ryan House Child Advocacy Site, a not-for-profit organization in Syracuse, N.Y. Since 2000, Syracuse Nationals has donated more than $500,000 to charitable organizations.
“This was a year for the record books,” said Bob O’Connor, Syracuse Nationals founder and director. “We had a tremendous turn out between cars and attendees, and we were able to raise a significant amount of money for charity throughout the weekend.”
A car from Oregon won the long-distance award, for traveling the furthest to get to the show.
The three-day event featured a “Happy Days” reunion with appearances by actor Henry Winkler, who played “Fonzie,” actress Cindy Williams, who played “Shirley Feeney,” and actress Erin Moran, who played “Joanie,” in the popular television series.
This year’s event also featured 350 automotive-related vendors, cars worth up to $1 million, a Richard Petty Tribute Car, 15 bands and fireworks displays.
The Syracuse Nationals, which started as an idea in the summer of 1999, has grown each year since its record-setting debut in July 2000 when more than 4,300 vehicles and 30,000 participants filled the fairgrounds with bright-colored hot rods and sounds of roaring engines. Nationals is now one of the largest automobile shows in the country featuring street rods; custom, classic, muscle and antique cars; and trucks.
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