WOODBURY — All over Woodbury, fliers and posters started showing up highlighting the inaugural Woodbury FFA Alumni car show Oct. 1. Residents from all around showed up to Nonnewaug in their classic cars, trucks, and tractors for a chance to win an award. 

Early that Sunday morning, cars were showing up ahead of schedule to get spots in the show, including a few tractors that had arrived early to help setup. There were quite a few vendors, including food trucks, local businesses, school clubs, and even face painting that was run by the National Art Honor Society.

“I think it was a good hit with a big draw,” said Catherine Wolko, the owner of the Humble Bee, a local company that sold honey products at the event. “As a vendor, I wasn’t in the middle so there was a decrease in sales, but I did make more than I expected.”

Awards for the winning vehicles were trophies made by students at the school. 

“There were only 12 awards given out,” said FFA chapter reporter Chloe Walsh. “One [was] for best in show, and one [was] for most rusty vehicle that was judged by the committee itself. [There was] also a kid’s choice that was judged by elementary and middle school kids in attendance. The reason chapter officers were judging was because the show was for the kids, so the car show committee wanted the kids to be a big part of the show.”

Walsh said it was tough to determine the award winners.

“How do you compare a brand-new car to a Model T? It’s virtually impossible,” said Walsh. “We deliberated for a very long time before making a decision as the whole chapter team.”

For next year’s car show, a lot is expected to change — especially the way the planning committee handles the weather.

“I don’t know enough to tell you what to expect for next year, [but] all of the Car Show Committee, and most volunteers, ended up with sunburn,” Walsh said. “So for next year, one change that is guaranteed is that we will wear more sunscreen.”

Overall, though, Walsh and her fellow officers were happy with the event after the amount of work they put in to make it a success.

“I sold my soul to this thing,” Walsh said.