*Originally published in Worcester Magazine on Jul 5, 2012
It is that time of year again: time for the striking aroma of burnt rubber mixed with fried dough. It’s time for the weekend where clamorous rock ’n’ roll is heard but sometimes lost in the echo of hundreds of revving engines, which can be heard from Main Street to Green Hill Park.
The New England Summer Nationals are back July 5 through July 8 and promise to bring the largest vintage car show to Worcester for its 22nd year. “The New England Summer Nationals is the largest annual signature event held within the city of Worcester,” notes Donna McCabe, president of the Central Massachusetts Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This event offers continuous excitement and entertainment from morning to night for residents, tourists and motor heads.”
What began as a modest fundraiser organized by Bob Moscoffian for the Worcester Parks Department back in 1991 to support the Green Hill Park Petting Zoo, the event is now on the fast track to becoming the largest automobile show in the United States. In its first year, Moscoffian advertised the show all the way to the West Coast, and was blown away when on that first year 1,800 cars showed up. This year’s vehicle registration is 10 percent above the 5,500 cars that were registered last year, with the show now bringing guests in from as far away as England. “Twenty-two years with the city of Worcester has been an adventure. I’ve seen the city change in many ways. I just want to continue for another 22 years.” says Moscoffian.
Mike Cole, who is a member of the Street Freaks Auto Club, has been attending the Summer Nationals for the past 10 or 12 years. “It is a great thing to see everyone coming together to support the community with their love for the car scene,” says Cole, who has registered his 1990 Celica for this year’s show. “Great variety of cars. It is not your run of the mill type of show. There are all types of activities for all ages.”
The main attraction of the weekend are the antique and custom cars, but if you aren’t the type to stick your head under the hood of a few thousand cars, there will still be plenty to enjoy. This year, headlining the Green Hill Park stage at 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon is Peter Tork, best known as bassist and keyboardist of The Monkees. The bands continue to perform until 8 p.m., which is also when the rest of the food and merchandise vendors begin to shut things down, but as the sun sets on Green Hill Park the 20-by-28-foot movie screen is raised for the Green Hill Drive-In, where vintage greaser movies including “Two Lane Black Top” will be shown on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights (watch the trailer below).
The Main Street portion of the event includes more live music, vendors, and the annual beauty pageant. The central event each night is undoubtedly the burnouts, which take place inside the Lincoln Square tunnel, which Moscoffian boasts as a wild party in a controlled atmosphere. “When I have a party, I want to have that party; and when every one of my guests leaves, they leave happy and safe and that is how it has always been,” explains Moscoffian.
As in years past, you can enjoy all of the cars, burnouts, flame throwers and bike stunts for $12 and children younger than 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. For more information including the full schedule of events, live entertainment and vendors, visit summernationals.com.
Below, watch the trailer for “Two Lane Black Top,” showing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in Green Hill Park at dusk as part of the weekend-long event.