What do Sam Roberts, the Batmobile and mechanical elephants have in common?
They will all be in Chatham June 21 and 22 for the combined RetroFest/RM Sotheby’s 40th anniversary celebration.
For people who love RetroFest, there will be the same Kent Historic Auto Club Cruise on the Friday night, and the varied display of vintage vehicles downtown on the Saturday, with activities for families in the park and lots to see and do. The Saturday showcase will very likely be larger than ever as car lovers will motor into town to take part in this special weekend.
But add in Rob Myers and his crew, and RetroFest is being amped up to a celebration Chatham hasn’t seen in a long time.
Added to RetroFest is the Sam Roberts Band in concert, a rare vintage car parade and display, with some celebrities and auto aficionados bringing them into town, tours of RM where staff work their magic to restore incredible cars and a special display where mechanical elephants and other rare sights can be seen.
Three of the added features, over and above the regular RetroFest free activities, will require tickets with the funds going to three different charities in Chatham that makes the event a win/win for everyone in the community.
The people who are worried RetroFest won’t be the same are right in a way. It won’t be the same; it will be even better.
The fact Myers wants to include the community, including car lovers just like him, in his 40th anniversary celebration shows what an incredible asset he and his family are to our community.
RM Sotheby’s has put Chatham-Kent on the map, as has the restoration work people come from far and wide to entrust to Myers and his staff.
The Retro Suites Hotel is making its own mark as a unique and fun boutique hotel.
The downtown is slowly transforming its derelict buildings into showpieces thanks to the efforts of people like Myers, the Warrener family and the Naclerios.
Add to that all the mom and pop businesses that have worked year after year to keep their stores looking good and offering shopping variety to the public, and downtown Chatham is set to have the best summer ever.
