ARTS, ANTIQUES, and autos
Denton's niche festival celebrates history.
or one day a year, Denton’s busy downtown streets slow to a halt, and the Denton community is transported to a simpler time. The ninth annual Arts, Antiques, and Autos Extravaganza celebrates Denton’s past and present, as the family-friendly event showcases a unique, and equally colossal, hodgepodge of some of the area’s finest cars, arts, and antiques.
Presented by the Denton Main Street Association at the city’s historic Courthouseon- the-Square, the festival is Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 7,000 attend the Saturday event annually, and event coordinator Christine Gossett believes the festival will set a new record in 2008.
“I think people enjoy coming to this event because it takes them back in time,” Gossett says. “You can be taken to an older, easier time, and people can step back to imagine and remember what downtown was like years ago with all the classic cars lined up around the Square.”
:: THE CAR CROWD
The festival’s biggest draw is an exhibition of restored cars and motorcycles, bringing more than 210 vehicles annually and gathering a large number of enthusiasts to admire the impressive collection.
Even so, the autos aren’t just there for admiration, as they compete in more than 10 classes and ultimately the Best of Show top prize.
“The car show is judged and there are trophies given for first, second, and third place in each category,” Gossett says. “The Best of Show honor also gives a trophy and a $500 cash prize.”
Bill Thomas, owner of Denton’s Thomas Ethan Allen for more than 40 years, has seen many festivals come and admits the car show is one of his favorite events to ever hit the downtown Square.
“I can remember one year we had a Model T that was a convertible, and that goes way back,” he says. “If you want to see antique cars, this is the place to come. It’s a fun day.”
The awards ceremony will begin at about 3:30 p.m., after all the automobiles have been judged.
:: FAMILY FUN
According to Gossett, there will be a plethora of options for the entire family: a kid zone, live music, plenty of food, and an abundance of downtown Denton’s unique shopping boutiques.
“We have done our best to have something for everyone who comes to the event,” she says. “You really have to see the scale of the event to understand the joy it brings everyone.”
Big Daddy Alright, a local Denton rockabilly group, headlines the live entertainment, taking the stage at 2 p.m. Two or three other bands are expected to play throughout the day, beginning at 10 a.m.
Elements of Design, co-owned by Joanne Moses for 10 years, invites festival visitors into the store for an annual sale and even provides outside seating.
“We have been here for every year of the festival, and have enjoyed it every time,” Moses says. “One of the great things is that it brings people downtown that haven’t been down to the Square before.”
For the children, the kid zone features a Hot Wheels downhill track, allowing kids to race toy cars. There will also be face painting, balloon artists, and several kid-based arts and crafts projects.
:: ARTS AND ANTIQUES
During the event, several local artists will be gathered in and around Denton’s Downtown Square, demonstrating and selling their various works. Antique appraisers will set up shop inside the Denton County Courthouse-on-the- Square, ready to examine your treasures.
“The arts and antiques portions of the festival have grown every year,” Gossett says. “The purpose of the antiques and arts is to celebrate the treasures of both our past and present.”
For the fourth consecutive year, the Golden Triangle Woodturners will highlight the event with live demonstrations. The Woodturners are a fellowship of craftsmen that produce wooden works of art using a lathe, or stationary spinning machine.
“Attic Treasure” appraisers will be available all day to inspect visitors’ knickknacks and heirlooms. However, the appraisals are for informational purposes only and won’t be considered official. Appraisers also ask that visitors not bring large furniture or photos of antiques to be appraised.
“I think that, in a way, the antiques are also works of art,” Gossett says. “People have cared for these pieces and really valued them for many years, and the appraisers are interested to see what all is collected by the visitors.”
BY CLAY SWARTZ