I don’t recall exactly what year it was, but I was pretty new to the VAE and attended my first “Stowe Show” committee meeting. Bob Chase was chairing the meeting as usual and seated next to him was Duane Leach. Bob announced, with a big smile on his face, that Duane had agreed to become co-chairman. There was good reason for the smile. That was a momentous declaration. From that day forward, this dynamic duo has lead the production of a car show we continue to view with pride.
What goes into producing the best car show in the Northeast is probably not evident to anyone who merely attends the show. The three-day event is actually the result of a year-round effort of planning and execution. Bob and Duane have efficiently divided the responsibilities that make it all come together for “show time.” Bob chairs the monthly meetings and takes care of such unobvious things as soliciting and lining up sponsors, securing the many required permits and contracts for necessary services. Those services are many: field rental, traffic control, trash removal, gate and parking attendance, portable toilets, and security. For Duane, show time is much longer than three days. He marshals the volunteers who labor to get all of the trailers and material onto the field and set up in the week before things officially start. Some of the trailers come from Duane’s yard and others are stored nearer by in John Farr’s barnyard. Setting up means running fences and pitching the tents in their precise locations. He literally lives on the field during all this time, providing 24-hour-a-day work and supervision. Since Duane has a full-time job, this is his vacation. It’s a family vacation. Marnita and her siblings are there pitching in as well to run the staff food tent and “haute cuisine” kitchen. Suspicions abound that some folks are just there for the food.
With the cooperation of the weather and the labor of the many gracious volunteers, all the pieces come together harmoniously as planned. The field is swarming with curious spectators enjoying the fascinating cars, the flea market, car corral, and other displays. The proceeds of the show are used to make the VAE what it is, an educational and charitable nonprofit organization. Through our Golden Wrench Award program, we encourage and support students in the 16 automotive technical career centers. We are recognized in the community, not only as the folks who put on a fantastic car show, but also the folks supporting automotive technology and historic education.
It all starts with Bob and Duane, and other dedicated club members, who produce this big event of the year: The Vermont Antique and Classic Car Meet.
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