Jesse and Judy Miller of Randolph drive past a cornfield Saturday as they arrive in their 1953 Chevrolet Two-Ten for the car show at Kents Hill Orchard in Readfield. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal
READFIELD — Kents Hill Orchard’s first-ever car show had something for nearly everyone, featuring about 50 cars ranging from souped up modern vehicles to classic vintage cars, apple picking at the orchard, and food from local vendors.
The idea came about roughly one year ago when show manager Brent St. Clair approached Kents Hill Orchard operator John Harker about how the farm looked like it was fertile ground for a car show.
“It’s been about a year’s worth of planning,” he said, “but it was Brent’s idea.”
Mountains in the distance frame the view behind a car show Saturday at Kents Hill Orchard in Readfield. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal
Harker said St. Clair worked on getting sponsorships and spreading the word about the event through attending other car show events, going on social media, getting sponsors, putting ads in local publications, and getting information out to the general public.
“He wanted to do something, he loves cars, and it seemed like a good thing for him to do,” said Harker, “and my property here is a good place to do it.”
He said the event offers something for a wide variety of guests.
“There was a lady that just walked by and she says, ‘Boy, this is perfect. I get to go pick apples and my husband can go look at cars,'” he said.
Right after arriving to the car show Saturday, Jim Newton dusts off his 2012 Porsche 997 C4S cabriolet at Kents Hill Orchard in Readfield. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal
St. Clair said just before noon that guests seemed to be enjoying themselves.
“There’s not loud music playing,” he said. “It’s sort of a nice, relaxed day, people can pick apples or eat some wonderful food. It’s an event with activities, not just standing around.”
Local food vendors on site included The Wicked Tater food truck and Fresh Ella’s Ice Cream, in addition to the Apple Shed Bakery, a building on the farm that served cider, doughnuts, baked goods and coffee.
Jesse and Judy Miller of Randolph sat next to their 1953 Chevrolet Two-Ten, a car that Jesse Miller said was made the year he was born.
Judy Miller, left, and Jesse Miller are seen Saturday in a reflection on the trunk of their 1953 Chevrolet Two-Ten at Kents Hill Orchard in Readfield. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal
“I just call it an old beater,” he said, “but I like to cruise around. It’s not a show car. There’s dings and dents, and it has a 33-year-old paint job that still looks pretty good. I’ve done a bunch of little things to it. The back seat is like being on a living room couch.”
Jesse Miller has had the car for about nine years, and in that time has taken it to hundreds of auto shows. He said he enjoys tinkering with vehicles, and that this summer has been great for driving.
“This has actually been a pretty decent year for cruising,” he said. “We’ve had some showers, but it’s not too bad, and the weather’s gorgeous today.”
Harker said that while it would be nice to bring in more regular people to the orchard via the car show, he’s happy with the crowd that came.
“My hope is that we’ll bring in some more people,” said Harker. “I don’t know if it will or not, but boy, this brings in a lot of good, fun people for the day. And that’s just as valuable.”
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