Organizers are feeling "overwhelmed by the support of the community" after raising over $30,000 during the first East Kent Hot Rods for Hospice Fall Festival over the weekend.
The one-day event was held on Saturday at the Ridgetown Fairgrounds with more than 2,000 people rolling in from across Chatham-Kent and some visitors from as far away as Alberta.
The car, motorcycle, and tractor show featured more than 360 vehicles, spanning almost 100 years of history -- from a 1926 Hudson Brougham to a 2023 Ford Mustang.
“We’ve been planning for months and people really showed up to support not only the event, but Hospice as well,” said Emily Vollans, head of the planning committee and a member of Ridge Runners East Kent. "Everyone on the planning committee knows how fortunate we are to have Hospice in our community and the turnout [Saturday] shows that everyone in Chatham-Kent feels the same way."
The event was organized by volunteers of the Ridge Runners East Kent, East Kent Vintage Equipment Club, and Ridgetown District Agricultural Society and all of the proceeds of the event are going directly to Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation.
"Everyone at Hospice is so appreciative of the work the planning committee put into organizing this wonderful event in support of Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation," said Jodi Maroney, Executive Director of Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation. "The funds raised through Hot Rods for Hospice will go directly to supporting families in our community who reach out to the Hospice for care."