PAW PAW – The Paw Paw Area Chamber of Commerce is putting the finishing touches on Paw Paw Days 2024 – The Fabulous 50s, set for the weekend of July 26-28. The traditional Classic Car & Truck Show and Marketplace arts & crafts fair will bring visitors and local residents to downtown Paw Paw, where guests will be treated to more family-friendly activities, specials at main street businesses, food, and music.
On Friday evening at 6, classic car owners may join in the Carole Motycka Memorial Cruise. The caravan lines up at Tractor Supply, on the corner of S. M-40 and County Road 665 and follows a pre-determined route through the countryside surrounding Paw Paw. Drivers will return to the village at Red’s Root Beer Stand for food and car talk.
The fun begins early on Saturday. The car show and Marketplace will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration and vendor set up begins at 7 a.m. at the registration table near the entrance to the Van Buren County Park in downtown Paw Paw. Cars will be displayed along Michigan Avenue in the Central Business District. Vendor booths will be assembled in the park.
The main event is sponsored by Tapper Auto Group. Freshwater Community Church will provide games and activities for youngsters at Kids Zone in the Paw Paw Township Hall parking lot on the corner of East Michigan Avenue and S. Gremps Street. The Paw Paw Downtown Development Authority has arranged for Touch-A-Truck, heavy equipment and emergency vehicles available for children to experience up close.
WCSY (COSY FM) 103.7, will be on-site with a live remote broadcast. New this year will be pedal car races for the little kiddos on Paw Paw Street in front of the Van Buren County Courthouse. Children may select their ride from four mini vehicles, then will race two at a time. All participants will receive small prizes, including free admission tokens to Klassic Arcade, die cast mini cars, and stickers. Races will run from 10 a.m. to noon.
Older kids can pick up a Pitstop Pete lanyard at the registration table and carry it through town on a scavenger hunt of stops. Posting pictures from their adventures on the Chamber’s Facebook page will win a cash prize for one lucky Pete’s Pal.
Paw Paw businesses will offer Paw Paw Days specials and/or activities at their own locations Friday through Sunday, which will feature the village’s weekly Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the DDA’s Free Concert at the amphitheater on the south shore of Maple Lake at 6:30 p.m. The Black River Band will be on stage.
The Chamber Board of Directors has been able to provide Paw Paw Days activities this year with the support of Tapper Auto Group, Best Way Disposal, Campbell Murch Memorials, Creative Cove, Freshwater Community Church, Golden Star Realty, Land of Light Community, Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Netbiotic, Paw Paw Downtown Development Authority, RedArrow Ministries, Red’s Root Beer Stand, StudioOne Creative, Redline Custom Design, Trust Shield Insurance Group, and many helpful volunteers.
Information is available at www.pawpawdays.com.
Friday, October 18, 2024
