Car show coming to downtown Marshall? Downtown organization proposes idea

MARSHALL - Car shows have been a staple throughout Madison County in a number of different communities, including in Spring Creek, but now the tradition could be coming to downtown Marshall.

The Downtown Marshall Association proposed the idea to the town board in its May 20 meeting, and the organization requested the board and Town Administrator Forrest Gilliam offer some guidance and feedback by May 24 on whether to proceed with the event.

Downtown Marshall Association Director Alexandra Arden and board member Hollie West appeared before the town board to discuss the proposal for the event, which would be July 5 during the town's Fourth of July celebrations.

Arden said she would recommend the town host the car show on Blannahassett Island in place of the parade it debuted in 2023.

"I just noticed - it wasn't a bad turnout, it was just smaller for the first year doing it," Arden said of the parade. "We could try to get as many classic cars, and park them in those spaces that are available as is, or anywhere, for that matter. It's just a thought. Just my recommendation."

Arden said the organization is planning to provide a food truck and market vendors for the event, as well as live music on the island stage.

In September, the Spring Creek Community Center hosted a car show in which residents entered 15 vehicles, including cars ranging from 1940 Ford coupes to brand-new Camaros, Mustangs and Corvettes, according to organizer Tony Mele.

Town Administrator Forrest Gilliam said a car show would be "easier" than a parade.

Board member Aileen Payne referenced the Spring Creek car show. Arden said she would visit with Mars Hill's Twin Willows, as the vacation rentals and events company hosted a car show the weekend of May 18-19.

"I think this area has a very large community of classic car owners, or sports car and muscle car owners. I see them all over," Arden said. "There are plenty of car clubs we can reach out to in the next week or so, and see what kind of involvement or interest we can get."

"If we could get a Mustang Club, I mean, that's Fourth of July," West said.

Island Nights

Arden told The News-Record & Sentinel the organization's summer concert series, Island Nights, will kick off July 21.

"We're going to try something new this year — a way to incorporate how we've done on Third Thursdays, with market vendors, local vendors and local food trucks," Arden said in the Marshall Town Board's February meeting.

According to Arden, the summer concert series will take place the third Saturday from July to October.

"Almost all of these bands are local to the region, some bigger than others. But it's going to be really exciting. On the island, utilize the stage, bring your blankets, bring your family."

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Arden said the Island Nights series plans to offer music from 6 to 9 p.m.

In the board's February meeting, Arden and West pitched the idea of an enclosed drinking space for the Island Nights series, proposing it for the Blannahassett Island basketball court.

The enclosed, wristband-only drinking space presented procedural issues for the town, though.

As pointed out by board member Christiaan Ramsey, the town ordinance currently prohibits consuming alcohol on public or town property.

According to Gilliam, the ordinance supersedes a one-time special event policy.

"So the board would have to hold a public hearing and rescind or modify that option," Gilliam said in the February meeting. "But in addition to that ordinance, the rules of the island, which are much easier than what the ordinance says, the rules of the island also say no alcohol. But the ordinance is the one that's stricter."

Any change to the ordinance would require a public hearing.

In a corresponding move, when Mayor Aaron Haynie opened up the floor for a board member to make a motion to hold a public hearing on the event, no board member offered a motion.

Johnny Casey has covered Madison County for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel for three years. He earned a first-place award in beat news reporting in the 2023 North Carolina Press Association awards. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or jcasey@citizentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Car show coming to Marshall? Downtown organization proposes idea