2021 Turning Back Time Car Show raised more than $10K for local charities

SYCAMORE – This year’s Turning Back Time Car Show raised more than $10,000 to benefit local charities, according to a recent announcement.

Car Club President DeVito described the event in a statement as “so much more than a car show.”

“This event has become a community celebration, an opportunity for generations to come together with the purpose of appreciating times past,” she said. “Thank you for letting us show thousands every year how ‘Life Offers More in Sycamore.’ ”

The show, held July 25 in downtown Sycamore, included nearly 40 volunteers, quadrupling past volunteer numbers, organizers said.

During the show, thousands of spectators of all ages came to view the nearly 800 cars, trucks and motorcycles. Those cars, trucks and motorcycles spanned the last 100 years, from a 1920 Model T to modern muscle cars, custom street rods, chop tops, low riders, fantasy, hot rods, chrome beauties, pony cars, foreign sports, semi-trucks and dozens of police cars, fire trucks and the Eddie Munster “Munster Coach.”

Kelly Kuhn and Karen DeVito led other volunteers at the registration table to ensure quick processing. The Sycamore VFW held a color ceremony during the day, with the national anthem sung by Annabelle Christensen. Shortly after, Board Member Mike Tritle flew over downtown in a Win Aviation plane from the DeKalb Airport operated by pilots and crew, the release states.

Board Members Ryan Hutchinson, Jason Mannis, Will Kuhn, Mike DeVito, Sr. and Tim Kuhn directed traffic and answered questions with members of the Radio Watch Club. Sycamore Deputy Police Chief Steve Cook, the Sycamore Police Department and the Sycamore Public Works Department coordinated and directed local planning.

About 100 local and regional businesses helped sponsor the event, including food trucks, organized by Trenton DeVito, according to the release. Ellie Rains of the Midwest Women Riders coordinated the nearly 40 motorcycles present.

Under the leadership of Car Club President Madeline DeVito, her husband, Michael DeVito, and the club’s board members, planning for the event took place over nine months.

Because of the financial success of this year’s car show, the Car Club Board approved the following grants: Chuck Criswell Scholarship ($500); Karyn Peterson Scrub Run ($500); Disabled Veterans Trans ($500); Elder Care Services ($750); Radio Watch ($500); Freezin for Food ($1,000); TransVac ($750); Sycamore Park District ($500); Safe Passage ($500); YMCA Summer Camp Scholarship ($870); Barn on Baseline ($500); Midwest Women Riders Kinder Bikes ($400); and a new Turning Back Time Car Club Scholarship of $2,730.

The 50/50 raffle was managed by Board Members Heather and Joe Woodward. Several volunteers, including Julie Sgarlata and Bob Brown, helped to sell about $8,000 in raffle tickets, which set a record, the release states. The 50/50 raffle was won by Laura Lind of Sycamore.