For three days this week, Nacogdoches will be the mecca for early Ford automobiles. The Early Ford V-8 Car Club will stake their claim in Nacogdoches from April 7-10, which will mark the club’s 38th year for their “Texas Tour.” The Hotel Fredonia will act as the host hotel for this car-loving group.
Over 100 cars will be cruising into town from all over the United States including Arizona, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and even California. The total economic impact of the “Texas Tour” will be roughly $131,250 for the city. The Club will be visiting various attractions throughout Nacogdoches during their stay. One of the attractions on the list is the very popular Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden, which will continue to provide lots of beautiful blooms for visitors to enjoy the next couple of weeks.
This 1941 Ford Sedan Delivery automobile will be one of the many cars cruising around Nacogdoches April 7-10 during the Texas Tour.
“We usually have around 95-120 early Fords come every year,” said Alan Clendenen, the coordinator of the Texas Tour. “This year, we will have 18 different classes that will be awarded trophies.” One does not need to be a member to be a part of the Texas Tour. Clendenden encourages the community to join the group during the Tour in any of their activities.
Registration for the weekend tour is $85.00 per entry as this includes meals on Friday evening, Saturday lunch, and the Saturday evening dinner banquet at Hotel Fredonia, which includes door prizes, raffle items, and a silent auction.
The highlight of the week will be the car display held at Pine Creek Country Inn on Saturday, April 9 from 12-1:30 p.m. The event welcomes visitors and families to see the cars on display, and admission is free. Mayor Roger Van Horn will be on hand to judge all of the classic cars and choose his favorite in order to present the Mayor’s Choice Award. To be considered an early Ford V-8 and to be involved in the Texas Tour, the automobile must have been manufactured between 1932-1953 and have the original flathead motor.
Sherri Skeeters, convention and meeting specialist at the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau is glad to see all of the planning of the event come together. “It’s been great to work with Alan Clendenen and his wife, Julie, over the past two years, and we have long been anticipating the Car Club to come to the Oldest Town in Texas. The Clendenen’s have visited Nacogdoches several times for site visits, and I know that the members will enjoy all of the great events they have planned.”
For more information about the Early Ford V-8 Car Club and the Texas Tour, call Alan Clendenen at (281) 770-3588 or email him at arc40s@comcast.net. For more information about the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau or conventions/group tours, contact Sherri Skeeters at (936) 564-7351 or email her at sherri@visitnacogdoches.org. Be our friend on facebook @ See Nacogdoches.
