The streets of downtown Morrisville were lined with classic chrome, vintage engines and crowds of spectators as the 8th annual Bridge Street Car Show rolled into town on May 16 after being postponed a week earlier because of rain.
Hosted by the British Cars of Bucks County and the Morrisville Business Association, the event transformed Bridge Street into a showcase of imported and American automobiles while drawing families, collectors and car enthusiasts from across the region.
“It’s the sixth year I have been overseeing this event,” said Andrew Lubin, who serves as president of both organizations, “and it’s been going on even longer,” Lubin said. “We have been growing every year with the number of cars we bring in.” Although the majority of attendees come from Morrisville, it also draws people from other parts of Bucks County, surrounding communities as well as parts of New Jersey.
The show featured a mix of British sports cars, American muscle cars and antique vehicles dating back nearly a century. Attendees wandered through rows of Triumphs, Jaguars, MGs, Mustangs and other classics while listening to live music and visiting local shops and food establishments along Bridge Street.
Over the years, organizers expanded the event’s focus on imported vehicles, largely through Lubin’s involvement with the British car club.
“Being president of British Cars of Bucks County, headquartered in Morrisville with over 70 members, I could always count on a good attendance from my club members to participate in the show,” Lubin said. “Then we got the Jaguar club from Delaware County, the Jaguar club from South Jersey, the Philly MG Club. British car owners attract other British car owners the way American car owners attract other American car owners.”
Separate trophies were awarded for imported and American vehicles, though Lubin noted the show still featured more domestic cars overall.
“The car show has transitioned over the years from including mostly imported cars, to recent years when there are probably 60 percent more American cars than imported cars,” he said.
The event typically includes several unusual and historic vehicles. Lubin said previous shows featured automobiles from the 1920s and 1930s, along with a Japanese fire truck that appeared two years ago.
“These car shows attract an older viewership because they come to see the cars they remember,” he said. “They like to see cars they once drove.”
While many attendees come for nostalgia, Lubin said younger visitors still appreciated the craftsmanship and appearance of the vintage vehicles.
“Young people still appreciate the appearance of these older cars,” he said.
During the car show, Bridge Street was closed for several hours to create a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere that encouraged visitors to explore downtown Morrisville.
“We want these car owners to walk around and talk to each other,” Lubin said. “Car owners are a very social group.”
The show featured live entertainment from a returning band that performed classic rock and country favorites, along with a food truck, new this year, and local businesses offering giveaways and gift certificates.
“We had the same band coming back for the third year,” Lubin said. “They can go from Jethro Tull to Johnny Cash.”
Lubin said one of the goals of the event is to encourage people traveling through Morrisville from nearby Trenton via the free Calhoun Street Bridge to stop in town and experience the downtown business district.
“People often pass by,” he said. “We want people to stop instead of just driving through town, so car shows like this make people want to return after they see all we have to offer.”
He added that the downtown setting gives the event a unique feel compared to traditional car shows held in parking lots or open fields.
“At this show, people can wander around and browse throughout the local stores and businesses,” Lubin said. “It’s safe, it’s not in a parking lot, so it gives it a different feel because it’s in the middle of town.”
Proceeds from the event benefited community projects through the Morrisville Business Association, including town beautification efforts and new welcome signs around the borough.
“We are trying to make Morrisville more of a destination,” Lubin said. “When people leave the car show, I hope they had a good time and want to return to Morrisville.”
The British Cars of Bucks County regularly participates in local community events throughout the year, including car rallies, “Cars & Coffee” gatherings, charity appearances and the annual Yardley Memorial Day Parade. Lubin said the club’s emphasis has always been on combining a love of classic automobiles with a strong social atmosphere.
“The goal is to have fun,” he said. “Events like this car show bring out the best in people.”
Lubin is grateful to the surrounding Morrisville businesses who have been very supportive of this annual car show. Sponsors range from Flager & Associates and Lamb McErlane to AutoZone, Penn Community Bank, British Miles, NAPA, Endsville Tattoos, OfficeMax/OfficeDepot, Concerto Fusion Cuisine, Ye Ole Yardley Florist, and Rivertide Brewery.
