By Michael Bennett
Local Journalism Initiative
The Ridgetown Independent News
The Thamesville Crossroads Car Show will honour the contributions of the town’s volunteer fire department at their annual event.
The fifth annual Thamesville Crossroads Car Show, hosted by the Thamesville Improvement Association and Thamesville Sertoma Club, takes place Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Vehicles will be parked along London Road as well as Lemuel and Ann Streets for auto enthusiasts to enjoy.
There will also be a special area in front of the town hall where fire trucks from Thamesville Station 8 will be on display, along with vintage apparatus from across Chatham-Kent.
The salute comes in advance of Thamesville’s 150th anniversary of its volunteer fire department, which will take place in 2026.
“It’s in recognition of our local volunteers because they help us out with so many things,” said Susan Smith, who, along with husband Brad, is a co-chair of the Crossroads Car Show. “They provide guys to help direct traffic for the car show and pretty well anything Sertoma and TIA does in town throughout the year.”
“It’s a special gratitude for all they do for the town,” Smith said.
There will be educational activities, and Sparky, Chatham-Kent Fire & Rescue’s mascot, will be on hand for the kids.
For the car show itself, organizers are anticipating more than 200 vehicles.
Last year’s show drew a record 270 vehicles and an estimated crowd of 4,000 people.
The entry fee is $10 per vehicle, as all participants will be eligible for draw prizes and a limited number of dash plaques.
This is an open show as there are no year restrictions on vehicles.
The Thamesville Sertoma Club will have a food booth, while downtown restaurants and the Thamesville Legion Branch 367 will be open for food and beverages.
Merchants will welcome visitors to come inside and do some shopping while they’re in town.
