Despite skyrocketing gas prices, escalating insurance costs, and a declining Firebird population, the 5th Annual All-Firebird Lawn Show at the SPA State Park in Saratoga Springs, New York, once again showed double-digit growth. Official start time of the event was 9:00 a.m., but at 7:45 a.m. the rumble of Pontiac power could be heard in the SPA State Park like a stampede of thoroughbreds leaving the starting gate at the Saratoga Racetrack.
Attendance increased by 15 percent from 2006 with 127 Firebirds registered on the lush, grassy show field. Donations from participants, spec-tators, and sponsors were up 20 percent from 2006, while net proceeds totaled nearly $5,000. All money was donated to Special Olympics Saratoga.
When asked for an explanation of the increase, show co-founder Sandra Smith offered a simple reply. "We were founded on the principles of Firebird people getting together to have a nice, relaxing time, to share Firebird knowledge and passion, and to raise money for a very worthy cause. We are first and foremost an important fundraiser for Special Olympics Saratoga wrapped up in a Firebird show. We maintain a casual small-town spirit in a world-class environment!"
Although Saratoga Springs is indeed a small tourist city of just 30,000 residents, it offers show participants the entertainment venues of the Saratoga Auto Museum, Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York City Ballet, the historic Saratoga Battlefield, beautiful Saratoga Lake, and the professional 18-hole Saratoga Golf Course. These-not to mention the Saratoga Racing Museum, the Saratoga Museum of Dance, a Victorian downtown shopping and restaurant district, plus a modern shopping mall on the north end of the city-are all within a few miles of the show field.
Throw in warm summer days, cool summer nights, a field of show-quality Firebirds on manicured lawns among historic stone buildings, and you have the perfect recipe for a relaxing venue where participants enjoy a laid-back reunion with Firebird friends and family each year.
Many attendees combine their vacation with this Firebird gathering to create the ultimate Pontiac getaway. License plates were seen from places such as California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Quebec, Vermont and Virginia.
Kathy DeCrescenzo from Clifton...
Kathy DeCrescenzo from Clifton Park, New York, brought her '69 Trans Am R/A-III and claimed the Best of Show trophy for her efforts.
A number of enthusiasts arrived on Friday afternoon to gather at the Saratoga Auto Museum, which was the staging area for the 10-mile All-Firebird Cruise through the historic city past Saratoga Lake, the Saratoga Racetrack, and the Saratoga Gaming and Raceway to Mr. Ed's Ice Cream and Pizza Station. Ed provided a special menu for the Firebird cruisers. Despite threatening skies and even dime-sized hail just hours before, 25 Firebirds representing all generations cruised through Saratoga with an SSPD escort arranged by Firebird Nation of North America club vice president Joe Carey.
On show day, class awards were divided into 1st Generation, 2nd Generation, 3rd Generation, 4th Generation, and a Super Street class. Entry into the Super Street class required an aftermarket turbo, supercharger, nitrous, a blower, or a tubbed body. There were also special awards including the Saratoga Auto Museum trophy, the Mangino Pontiac trophy, a Special Olympics Athlete's Choice trophy, and a Special Olympics Coach's Choice trophy.
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