It wouldn’t be Labor Day weekend in Boyertown without Duryea Day.
On Saturday, Sept. 5, the Duryea Day Antique & Classic Car & Truck Show & Flea Market will be celebrating 50 years.
The Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles has been hosting this car show since its start in 1965. Commonly known as “Duryea Day” to locals, the event is designed to offer something for everyone – and everyone is invited.
“It’s growing more popular every year – it’s astonishing,” said Museum Curator Kendra Cook.
This anniversary celebration will be highlighting Pennsylvania-built cars and trucks, including Dile automobiles manufactured in Reading in the 1910s. “It’s a great milestone for us,” said Cook, hoping for nice weather that weekend.
Throughout the years, Cook says the biggest change is likely the attendance numbers. She heard that about 100 cars came that first year back in 1965 – last year more than 650 cars and trucks participated.
“That was our best year ever,” says Cook, and they hope to beat that number this year.
So far, there are about 200 cars preregistered for the event – which is “on par” with past years. Preregistration closes Aug. 29. Folks can also register the day of the event, and a majority do. All makes, models and years are welcome.
“We don’t want to put a restriction on it, we want it to be a varied show,” said Cook. “We encourage all ages, interests and backgrounds. We want to encourage the hobby – all stages of the hobby.”
For the past 15 years, Duryea Day has been held at the Boyertown Community Park on Madison Street. The arrangement has been working out well.
“The nice part about the park is the shaded areas,” she explained, adding how car shows are usually held in open fields or lots. “The cars are in a wooded area so spectators can escape in the shade without missing the show.”
The museum staff has been busy all summer preparing for the annual Labor Day weekend event. And this year’s Duryea Day will be a first for Deborah JH Bertolet, the museum’s executive director.
“It will be nice for her to walk into an event that’s established in the community,” said Cook, admitting that her personal favorite part of the show is the trucks – which will have their own field.
Throughout the day, trollies will be shuttling attendees between the park and the museum. These shuttles offer a chance to see some of the museum’s inside displays such as their special food truck exhibit, the 1938 Reading Diner and the 1921 Sunoco gas station. Admission fee to Duryea Day includes admission to the museum.
Duryea Day is organized and run by the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles and the Pottstown Region Antique Automobile Club of America. Proceeds benefit both organizations.
This event is part of the museum’s year-long celebration of their 50th anniversary.