Garrett Short Car & Bike Show gears up for fifth installment

Heather Dawson, a junior at Kennett High School, created the winning T-shirt design for the 5th Annual Garrett Short Car and Bike Show.

Photo provided

"Each year a design contest has been open to KHS students to come up with the T-shirt design for the annual event," said Kathy Rogers, event coordinator. "This year, the committee decided to open the event to students in grades 6-12 at Kennett Middle School and Kennett High School. The contest was a huge success with Heather Dawson, KHS Junior, winning the contest."

Dawson's design will be featured on the 5th annual Garrett Short Car and Bike Show T-shirt, which can be purchased for $10 by contacting Rogers.

Garrett Short was the 13-year-old son of Jack William and Kimberly Jo Peterson Short who lost his life in a tragic automobile accident in July 2005.

Following the accident, Short's classmates and their families began organizing the car and bike show as a way to fund the Garrett Short Memorial Athletic Scholarship Fund.

The first show was held in 2006, and since that time, Short's classmates, the class of 2011, have raised over $50,000 for the scholarship fund.

Each year, two graduating Kennett High School seniors who participated in athletics are chosen to receive scholarships. The scholarships will continue through the year 2011.

"This event is a car and bike show," Rogers said, "but it has grown to be so much more. It is an awesome day for families in our community to come together for a great cause, enjoy a variety of entertainment, get some great bargains at the silent auction, see some really cool cars, trucks and motorcycles, meet new folks from surrounding areas, and, most importantly, remember a young man that was loved by so many people!"

This year's show will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 24, 2010, at the American Legion Building, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. The entry fee is $20 and classes for every make or model will be available.

Trophies will be awarded for first, second, and third place, as well as best of show. A plaque will be awarded for farthest traveled and the viewer's choice winner will receive paid entry into next year's show.

Live entertainment will be provided throughout the day, including the Tumbling Tribe, Kennett School of Performing Arts, the American Tae Kwon Do Association, and local band talents including "Grace Proven," from Steele, Mo.

A silent auction will begin at 10:30 a.m., with tables closing every half hour. Rogers said there will be a large variety of items, including clothing, sports items, gift baskets and gift certificates, Kennett Indians items, hand-made items including duck calls, picture frames and jewelry, and numerous other items.

"We welcome ALL donations for the auction," Rogers said. "Auction items can be dropped off to Pam Sherrod at Kennett National Bank or to have your donation picked up, call Robin Wilbanks at (573) 717-3223."

New this year will be a stereo competition, hosted by Xtreme Stereo/Radio Shack, and the Seat Belt Convincer, hosted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

This year's show will concluding with a cruise through downtown, immediately following the announcement of winners. The cruise will begin at the American Legion Building and head west towards Rector, Ark.

Entry forms for the car and bike show are available by contacting event coordinator Kathy Rogers at (573) 344-0187, or indianfan87@ hotmail.com.