Click here for a printable flyer. 

Click here for a printable Registration Form. 

If you like car shows and you love what the Arizona Humane Society does to ease the lives of dogs, cats, and other domestic animals, then you’ll want to head over to the 2019 Charity Car Show Saturday, September 21 at the Mesa Market Place Swap Meet. The show runs from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

The Arizona Humane Society Waggin’ Wheels Mobile Adoption Vehicle will also be at the car show, full of puppies and dogs looking for a good home. Adoptions will take place from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

In addition to voting for your favorite cars by ‘stuffing their canisters full of money,’ animal lovers are also invited to donate pet food, bedding, and toys for all the animals in the care of the Arizona Humane Society’s two campuses.

More than 100 vintage, classic, and modified cars, trucks, and motorcycles are expected to be on display in the hopes that car enthusiasts and animal lovers will stuff dollar bills into money bins set in front of each vehicle.

“Exhibitors are even encouraged to solicit votes (money) before the car show begins,” says Shirley Blahak, event organizer. “The goals of the car show are straight forward: to get together with other car aficionados, to have a good time, and to raise as much money as possible for the Arizona Humane Society.” It’s all in good fun because 100% of the money the vehicles raise will be donated to the Arizona Humane Society.

Each entrant will go home with a 2019 Charity Car Show dash plaque. The top five money makers will each be awarded an engraved remembrance.

The show, an annual event, is sponsored by Arizona Mini Owners, a cheerful group of newer and vintage Mini Cooper owners.

Expected at the event are a large number of Mini Coopers and a number of PT Cruisers. Several vintage Triumphs and Austin Healeys will also be there, as will an authentic London taxi. Ford, Chevrolet, and Chrysler lovers will be happy to see vintage, classic and modified cars and trucks on exhibit, too.

And there will be a real treat for military collectors at the show, too. Dr. Baron Smith is bringing in his Vietnam era helicopter (1970), a Series III OH-6A Hardbelly and a ‘Deucy’ M35 triple-axle 2 ½ ton cargo truck.

In past years, some of the shows entries have been unusual. Children caught up with the idea of raising money for charity have even entered their Tonka trucks and midget race cars. Other unusual entries have included bicycles and motorcycle trikes.

So if you have a vehicle you’d like to enter, big or little, no matter how many tires, you can get more information at www.mesamarket.com. There is a $5. entry fee ($10. after August 25.)

Professional quilter, Shirley Blahak, has embroidered a quilted comforter called ‘A Tribute to the Road’ to be auctioned off to raise additional money for the Arizona Humane Society the day of the event. The quilted comforter features iconic show vehicles and muscle cars.

Attendees will also enjoy being entertained by Blue Electric Entertainment. They’ll spin platters from the 50’s through today’s music.

The event is free to the public (except for donations made to the Arizona Humane Society). Parking and admission is always free at the Mesa Market Place.

The event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mesa Market Place is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Signal Butte & Hwy 60. 10550 E. Baseline Rd.  Mesa.  480.380.5572. www.mesamarket.com.  100% Handicap accessible.

Click here for a printable flyer.

Military Day at Mesa Market Place

Military Vehicle and Equipment Event from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., and Beirut Barracks Bombing Remembrance at Mesa Market Place Swap Meet, Saturday, October 19, 11:00 a.m.

The Military Vehicle and Equipment Event: There’s nothing like vintage Military Vehicles to evoke memories for anyone who served in the Armed Forces. Dozens of vehicles will be on display that have been painstakingly rehabilitated to operational status. These vehicles will be a testimony to the soldiers who used these vehicles in conflict and during wartime.

There will also be equipment, uniforms, and swag on display.

Chuck Byers, an Army Medic during Vietnam, will display his Medic Bag. This bag is a testament to the courage possessed by Chuck Byers and all Medics during the war. The bag represents hope and human resilience and endurance to survive wounds suffered on the battlefield. Mr. Byers words of encouragement accomplished as much to help a wounded service person to survive, as much as the meds and bandages he used on them.  

The Beirut Barracks Remembrance: The public and all service people are invited to participate in Mesa Market Place Swap Meet’s Beirut Barracks Bombings Remembrance at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 19 The POW MIA KIA Honor Guard will officiate and lead the remembrance.

Here is some background information about the Beirut Barracks Bombings.  On October 23, 1983, in Beirut, Lebanon, during the Lebanese Civil War, two truck bombs struck separate buildings housing United States and French military forces—members of the Multinational Force (MNF) in Lebanon—killing 299 American and French servicemen.

In the attack on the building serving as a barracks for the 1st Battalion 8th Marines (Battalion Landing Team – BLT 1/8), the death toll was 241 American servicemen: 220 Marines, 18 sailors and three soldiers, along with 60 Americans injured, representing the deadliest single-day death toll for the United States Marine Corps since World War II’s Battle of Iwo Jima, the deadliest single-day death toll for the United States military since the first day of the Vietnam War’s Tet Offensive, and the deadliest single attack on Americans overseas since World War II.

Military Day will be set up on the Fourth Row, Row D. The event is free.

A table will be set up so adults and children can write notes and color pictures to go into ‘Packages From Home’ care packages headed to service people serving in the Middle East.

The Mesa Market Place is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and is at 10550 E. Baseline Rd., Mesa, AZ 85209, at exit 193 Signal Butte Rd. and Hwy 60. Info: 480-380-5572 and www.mesamarket.com. Fully handicapped accessible. Free Parking, admission, and entertainment.