Rev up your engines for “Motors at Willits” at The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW), a free, all-campus event on May 18 at 4pm. Proceeds from the event, organized by the Basalt Education Foundation (BEF), will benefit Basalt public schools.
The showcase, which attracts about 70 entrants, lets motorheads polish up their finest classic cars and trucks, including muscle cars, Stutsman CAT earthmovers and vintage motorcycles. The Basalt Fire Department is joining the fun by bringing one of its old engines.
Ginger Opp, newly-named BEF executive director, said the nonprofit was formed in 2004 “as a grassroots organization with community members committed to raising funds to enhance education in the Basalt public schools.”
Opp listed some of BEF’s accomplishments, including staffing an experiential outdoor education coordinator position last year. They are looking to continue developing outdoor programming for all Basalt schools.
“BEF also offers teacher and administration grants to enhance learning in the arts, STEM and dual language. It also tries to meet immediate needs outside of the school’s budget,” Opp explained. “Additionally, we’ve been lucky enough to have some really generous gifts from our community to provide scholarships. We’ve been able to help fund a college career counselor position. We’ve supported teacher appreciation, and the high school got a great gift to support their climbing program.”
Amy Groom started the event in 2012 when she owned a stationery and gift store in downtown Basalt. “A couple of business owners got together with the Town and created events for the downtown space,” she said.
Groom, BEF marketing and events director, continued, “I’ve done the event every year except for the COVID years of 2020 and 2021. It’s a great event because it brings the whole community out, and it’s fun for kids, adults and everyone.”
Formerly known as “Motors on Midland,” the event has been temporarily relocated this year and last to the TACAW campus due to street construction on Midland Avenue.
Vintage vehicles hold a special place in the hearts of Groom and Opp, with childhood memories intertwined with classic cars and trucks from their families.
“My dad had a couple of classic cars, but I grew up in a 1974 [Toyota] Land Cruiser. My whole childhood was based out of that vehicle,” Groom said. “My family has classic cars, which also started with my dad. We have a model 1955 Ford pickup truck and a 1970 Ford Bronco, which we love,” Opp said.
The BEF team was excited to announce Alpine Bank as the event’s inaugural community sponsor.
The event will feature local food vendors and BEF will serve complimentary hot dogs and hamburgers. For the kids, there is face painting and Hot Wheels tracks. BEF organizers’ only request is that you keep your pets at home.
Live music by the band Blackout starts at 5pm, and at 7pm the festivities will move inside TACAW for some boot-scootin’ country tunes by the Caleb Dean Band. Dean is joined by bandmates Larry Gottlieb, J.D. Martin, Dave Johnson and Paul Valentine.
In closing, Opp said, “We ask for a small donation to register a car for the show. Those proceeds are donated directly to our schools.” For further details or to register a vehicle, go to www.basaltedu.org