Sunday’s sunny skies set the stage for a fundraiser for the Seymour-based nonprofit, Connecticut Partnership for Children, Inc.
The organization helps low-income children and their families throughout Connecticut. It operates the Valley Diaper Bank in Seymour.
The second annual Barefoot End of Summer Festival and Car Show drew hundreds to the grounds of the Colonial Tavern in Oxford to bid farewell to summer.
Festival goers enjoyed music provided by Gravyhound and North of Forty as well as a variety of food, craft beers and wines. In addition to food trucks, vendors including Lisa’s Soaps of Wallingford and Beads by Alyssa of Ansonia were on hand.
There were nine Connecticut-based breweries and three wineries represented in the sampling tent, said organization founder and executive director Meghan Tarby. She said a classic car show featured 116 vintage vehicles, and car enthusiasts enjoyed the “burnout pit.”
Tarby said the event raised almost $7,000 last year and this year’s fund-raising goal was $10,000.
Radio personalities Chaz and AJ from WPLR emceed the car show awards presentation.
Oxford resident Mike Kwoka received “Best in Show” honors for his 1934 Packard 8. The white and red vehicle has been in the family for about 32 years, Kwoka said.
He and his bride used it on their wedding day 24 years ago, and they received the car as a gift on their 20th anniversary.
Tarby said she was happy with the turnout.
“We’re definitely going to do the event again next year,” she said. “We welcome feedback from the participants and vendors, and we say thank you to everyone who supported the event and the organization.”
