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BOYNE CITY - A combination of dozens of great classic cars and the proud owners who take such pride in them has turned the annual Labor Day Car Show into a family tradition. The event has been going on for nine years and in that time a total of $42,530 has been donated back to the community.

The 2008 show goes from August 29 through the 30 and kicks off at 3:00 p.m. in the lobby of Boyne Mountain for a welcome reception, a prelude to the cars being shown that evening in downtown Boyne City. You can also sign up for a drawing with a chance to win the grand prize, a free weekend at The Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa, including free water park passes or golf. The drawing will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday evening at Sommerset Pointe.

Mike Stowe and Great Lakes Motor Works along with John McLeod and his team at Classic Instruments has organized the car show over the past nine years, allocating donations to the Boyne City Fire Auxiliary, Boyne City Fire Department, Charlevoix Humane Society and Camp Daggett just to name a few.

This year, Great Lakes Motor Works is passing the torch to the Boyne City Rotary Club to keep up the tradition of the event. The Rotary was chartered in 1922 and has been very active in the community. Fund raising for the Rotary is achieved through donations, grants, concessions, barbeques and now, the 2008 Labor Day Weekend Car Show.

LaMarr Hope, a Rotary member in Boyne City who is helping organize the car show, hopes the event will benefit the community.

"We want to raise money for the community projects funded by the Rotary and to promote the Boyne area with an event that will bring more people to visit the area,"Hope said. "I am helping with the Car Show in regards to sponsors and donations.Ó

On Saturday morning, the Car Show weekend continues at Boyne City's Memorial Park with registration from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. All trophies will be awarded at 3:00 p.m. in all categories. There are door prizes for all participants with drawings throughout the day including a $500 gift certificate towards the purchase of tires or wheels from Boyne City Tire and Brake, free golf at Boyne, water park tickets and many more.

On Sunday, the Boyne City Police Department keeps up the car theme with the 6th Annual Drag Racing Fundraiser from 12:00 to 6:00 pm. at the Boyne City Airport.

"Although Boyne Rotary is the sponsor, it really is a community project and we are just the catalyst that brings all the things together that helps the community,"Hope added.

On Friday evening, downtown Boyne will once again host "Stroll the Streets"with businesses extending their hours and live musicians and various street entertainment on hand. At 8:00 p.m., the "Best of Cruise"trophies will be awarded for the best in show for GM, Ford and Mopar.

If you would like more information about the Boyne City Rotary Club and its benefactors or the Car Show, you can contact President Tami Whitley at 231-582-1250 or LaMarr Hope at 231-620-2250.

Jeff Bergren can be reached at jbergren@michigannewspapers.com or by calling 231-582-6761. Ê