By ROD KING

For Business Weekly

NEW HAVEN — Despite the fact that there will not be a New Haven Canal Days this summer, the promoters of the annual Canal Days Car Show and Cruise are going ahead with their event as usual June 9.

According to Chairman Tim McAbee, the car show, which is sponsored by the Corvette Club of Fort Wayne, will be held in the parking lot on the north side of New Haven High School, 1300 Green Road in New Haven, starting at 5 p.m. and running to 9 p.m. All makes and models are welcome. Registration for exhibitors also begins at 5 p.m. Cost to enter the show is $10.

Spectator parking is on the south side of the school. There is no admission fee, but donations to the New Haven Police Reserves are welcome.

The show, which has been a part of the Canal Days Festival for more than 20 years, had around 200 exhibitors last year. McAbee said he and his committee are expecting more than that this year. Working with him are Marilyn Mason, Sandy Barnett, Rosie Davis, Dave Sprow and Paula Yoder.

“Disc jockey Fast Eddie will be back again and there will be several food trucks,” McAbee said. “The cruise, however, is still up in the air. We’re hoping it can be worked out, but at this point we’re short on personnel to pull it off. The hope is that it will be all worked out by show time.”

“There will not be any official judging, but Sponsor’s Choice awards will be presented. Our 24 sponsors will actually be choosing the cars they like best,” he said. “In addition, the show will go on rain or shine.”

Sponsors for this year’s event include: Rack & Helens Bar & Grill, Canal Tap Haus, Bumper Wilson Tuning, Automotive Rehab, River’s Edge, King’s John’s Services, New Haven Trophies & Shirts, Jeff’s Coney, Ruhl Furniture, Koester’s, L&S Alignment-Tune-up, Whip & Chill, Dog Watch, Spinal Healthcare & Physical Medicine, Mills Auto Parts, EZ Cut Tool, Landart Inc., MacMahon’s Best One Tire & Auto Care, Robbie’s Automotive, United Healthcare, Economy Auto Parts, Twin Brothers Auto Glass & Window Tinting, New Haven Print and Patriot Best One Tire & Auto Care.

Canal Days, which honored New Haven’s association with early transportation routes through the Great Black Swamp, was last celebrated in 2019. It was canceled in 2020 as many festivals gave way to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has not returned. The festival’s website offers no updates since that year.

Many marching bands and other groups that have participated in New Haven Canal Days also take part in the nearby Hoagland Days. The Hoagland Area Advancement Association is proceeding with plans for this year’s celebration June 16-17.