The fifth annual Buckingham County High School (BCHS) alumni car and bike show held to fight cancer was a major success Saturday in front of Teresa’s Place at Sprouse’s Corner in Buckingham County.

“We tied for the number of entries from two years ago, but the money far surpassed anything that we ever made before,” said Scotty Edwards, a BCHS alumni who helps organize the event. “Last year we made $1,770. This year we made $2,400 so I felt like there was a big leap. It was much more organized this year, it flowed much more smoothly, because we’re still learning every year, getting a little bit more organized, but it was great. The weather turned out perfect. It was a really nice day.”

There were 82 entries in the show, and Edwards estimated that as many as 100 people attended.

“Each penny made is donated to the American Cancer Society,” Edwards said. “We rely on donations from local businesses to help cover our costs (i.e. trophies, frames, Porta-Johns, etc.) so that everything we make can be donated to Buckingham’s Relay for Life.” 

Edwards noted she and organizers will present the check Saturday as a part of Hope Day at Ellis Acres Memorial Park.

“Also, this year, we chose to honor BCHS teachers and coaches,” she said.

Travis Toney, Jenny Snoddy Shumaker and Edwards have helped spearhead the organization of the car and bike show.

“About six years ago, my classmate Jamie Bryant, called me and said he wanted to do something to honor the classmates that we had lost to cancer,” Edwards said. “Jamie and I talked to Travis Toney, and the idea of a car show was born.”

She said Toney enlisted the help of fellow classmate Shumaker. 

“Our first show was in 2014, and we did exactly what we set out to do by having the names of classmates that had lost their battle with cancer on the bottom of all certificates awarded,” Edwards said, noting that each winner gets a trophy and a framed certificate.

She said that first- and second-place awards are handed out in 12 categories. Category breakdowns are by year, or decade, and others include Four-Wheel Drive and Drag Car.

“We also give out awards for Best in Show Bike, Best in Show Car/Truck, People’s Choice Bike and People’s Choice Car/Truck,” she said. “Our show is a little different from most, as we do not have judges. Winners are chosen by the people who enter the show, and our People’s Choice awards can be voted on by anyone in attendance for $1.”

On Saturday, the 2018 Best in Show Car award went to Johnny Holman, of Farmville, for his 1973 Camaro. The 2018 Best in Show Bike award went to Wayne Davis, of Buckingham, for his 1952 Harley-Davidson.

“We get a lot of local entries, but we are also very well-represented by the surrounding counties of Appomattox, Prince Edward and Cumberland,” Edwards said. “But we have had some travel more than two hours from Haymarket and Glade Hill.”

The impact of the show over the last five years is undeniable.

“After we turn the money over on Saturday, we will have donated a total of $8,170 to Buckingham’s Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society,” Edwards said.