First Annual Dave Simpkins Memorial Car, Truck & Bike Show
Saturday May 21st marked a starting point for the Simpkins family of Paden City. Many knew Dave Simpkins from his used car lot, mechanic abilities, auctions, helping others, and his attendance at hundreds of car shows he frequented over the years. Simpkins had a love for old cars / trucks and enjoyed participating and talking to people. His 1971 Chevy Cheyenne and 2003 Honda Trike were his babies. He was proud to display them every chance he got. Both were showcased Saturday as his family kept with his traditions.
Unfortunately, Simpkins lost his battle to Hodgkins Lymphoma in February of 2021. Because of his admiration of vehicles and his dedication to helping others in need, his family wanted to provide something to the community in his honor as a way of keeping his name alive. Belinda Billiter, Simpkins daughter, said “We plan to make this an annual event and have it every year the third weekend of May.”
It is safe to say the First Annual Dave Simpkins Car,Truck, and Bike Show was a success. The weather was perfect for the 66 vehicles that came rolling into registration. Erma Conner, daughter of Simpkins, had a hard time keeping her composure at times. The amount of support received for the event was phenomenal. “My dads sisters even came in for the event” Conner stated with tears in her eyes.
Many local businesses, community members, and friends bonded together donating items for the event. DJ MAK provided the oldies music and sound for the day, while the concessions and one of the 50/50 drawings were organized by the Paden City FOE Auxiliary. The entire Simpkins’ family joined in to help make this event a success. Together as a team they sold 50/50 tickets, Chinese Auction tickets, parked cars, and judged the entries.
The family will be sponsoring a scholarship in honor of Dave Simpkins’ from the events proceeds. The first high school senior to receive this scholarship will be from the graduating class of 2023. They also have witnessed first hand the struggles a family endures when fighting a battle with cancer. They are hoping to go the extra mile and help someone in need. They would like to reach out to a local family who has been dealt a bad hand , just as their family received, and offer a donation in hopes of easing their pain a little. They know it gets expensive traveling to and from doctor appointments and lab testings. Especially with gas prices at the ultimate high right now. They know their dad was smiling down from Heaven on them all, as they follow in his footsteps of helping others.
Zooming in the Top 20 were:Ryan Forshey with a 1986 Chevy Sierra Classic; Terry Kemp with a 1970 Chevy Malibu; Brad Hibbs with a 2000 GMC Sonoma; Sarah Pittman with a 1957 Chevy Belair; Ray Fouchs with a 1979 Chevy 4×4; Joe Hoskins with a 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang; Rose Abott with a 1929 Ford Truck; Christy Thomas with a 1978 Ford F250; Ronald Wright with a 1975 Chevy Vega; Bill Jeffries with a 1955 Chevy 210 Delray; Joe Semple with a 1940 Ford Custom Roadster Pickup; Tim Raper with a 2011 Chevy Camaro; Scott Mercer with a 1966 Buick Skylark; Bill Underwood with a 1964 Ford Fairlane; R Blatt with a 2015 Yamaha; James Howell with a 2006 Harley Softail; Bill Coulter with a 1969 C-10; Ken Morgan with a 1981 Pontiac Trans Am; Sammy Moran with a 1968 Chevy Camaro; Bill Bauerbach with a 1971 Dodge Demon
The top finishers in each category were: Top Bike, Jeff Lemasters with a 2000 Harley Softail. Top Truck, Scott Slie with a 1971 Chevy Custom C10. Top Car, Mark Cross with a 1970 Chevy Chevelle.
People’s Choice: Bill Underwood with a 1964 Ford Fairlane
Best of Show: Doug Long with a 1976 Chevy Van
An additional incentive for the “Best of Show” winner each year, is they will have the honor of their vehicle being pictured on next year’s trophies. This year the family honored Simpkins with his “71” Chevy Cheyenne being pictured with a purple cancer ribbon on the trophies.
The Simpkins’ family would like to send their sincere thanks to the numerous friends and family for their assistance, and also to the local businesses and the community for their over whelming aid. With out the outpouring of support the event wouldn’t have been a success.
Sending lots of love and many thanks to O’Reilly Auto Parts – trophy sponsor, Paden City FOE, Kevin’s Custom Coverings, J&T Paving Excavating, Neff’s Auto Repair, “Candy Man”, Maggie G., Myer’s Pre-owned Auto, Joe’s Tire, Auto Related, Chen’s Garden, Golden Comb, Mane Event, Go Mart, Riggenbach Tile and Carpet, Gold Diggers, Starkey’s Tattoo, KFC/Taco Bell, JW Tire, Miklas Meat Market, NTB, Captain Richard’s, Koonce Woodworking, WesBanco, Farmhouse Treasures, Choo Choo’s, S&S Jewelry, Auto Plus Auto Parts, Arby’s, Hannibal Garden Center, Boutique On The Creek, Bill Bell, Tanacious, Paw Spa, Highline Warren, Movie House, Hayes Electric, Brown Sprinkler Service, and Andover Country Meadows.
The family asks if you are out and about shopping or if you simply see the managers and employees from all these fine local establishments out and about, to please tell them Thank you. Their support meant a lot to Simpkins’ family and the event couldn’t have ended in such success without the sponsors generosity.
Remember to mark those calendars for the third weekend of May 2023. The Second Annual Dave Simpkins Car, Truck, and Bike Show is sure to be a blast.