The Mahoning Valley Olde Car Club has seen growing numbers at its Tuesday night cruises in the Austintown Plaza, and members are expecting the same for the 42nd annual Cars in the Park on Aug. 1 in Boardman.

“We are looking to have over 400 cars this year,” said MVOCC communications director Fred Ross.

The Cars in the Park event is held at Boardman Park off U.S. Route 224. Last year was supposed to be the 42nd annual event, but because of the pandemic, the event was canceled, moving the 42nd to this year.

Club President Amy Suszynski said she feels good about returning to normal on the car scene with both the Tuesday night weekly cruises as well as the big park event. She did say things will be a little different this year.

“In past Cars in the Park events we had a lot of different classes we were giving trophies for,” she said. “This year we are not having those classes. We are giving out trophies for Best of the Best, Best Stock, Best Modified and President’s Choice.”

She said the club had to cut back this year to be able to put on the event. Next year she is hoping to bring back the various class trophies.

One thing the event will provide for is money raised for Joey Gaskell, son of Jessica and Tod Gaskell of Austintown. Joey was born in 2017 and at 18 months was diagnosed with pre b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Today Joey goes to the hospital every three weeks for chemotherapy, with a lot of doctor visits in between. He will have intensive chemo for about a year, then will receive cranial radiation followed by six months of less intensive chemotherapy.

“The proceeds of our cruises and the Cars in the Park show will go to Joey,” Suszynski said. “We have donated over $220,000 to area children and to Hospice over the years.”

Cars in the Park will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. At 2 p.m. the trophies and check will be handed out, according to Suszynski. The event is open to the public.

jtwhitehouse@vindy.com