BOUNTIFUL—It’s time once again for food, fun and a whole lot of cool cars as the annual Bountiful Rotary Coats for Kids Car Show hits Main Street June 14-15. The event raises funds for elementary school children in south Davis who are in need of warm clothing. 

“It started in 1999 when a rotary club member suggested they help raise money for children in south Davis,” said Krista Simonsen, whose father Chris Simonsen helped start the program. “They thought their main focus should be getting warm clothes for kids. Some also had a passion for old cars.”

They decided to go to principals because they see kids every day, they know the ones in need, she said. “The principals and teachers thought it was a great idea so we partnered with them.”

The rotary wanted to stay anonymous, said Simonsen. “They didn’t want the children to know they bought it. It’s a matter of pride and dignity for parents. They give them vouchers that they can take to go shopping.”

Friday Night at the Square, sponsored by Bahr Dermatology, will kick things off on Friday with a street party on Main and Town Square, Simonsen said. “That goes from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. There will be a Cool Car Parade at 6 p.m. on Main Street, sponsored by Kenson Car Company.”

The band Rockees will play live music, she said. “They’re local and won Best of State in the battle of the bands. They’re really fun.”

Around dusk, the popular Smokin’ Tires Burnout sponsored by Burt Brothers will fill Main Street with fast cars and screeching tires. “There’s going to be prizes and giveaways with three grand prizes on Saturday,” said Simonsen. “This year Young Powersports is giving us a Quad and motorcycle to give away and Stepsavers donated a mini Jeep as a prize.”

A variety of food vendors will be at the Square as well, said Simonsen. “That’s how we make our money.”

On Saturday visitors can take a look at the cars up close on the lawn at Bountiful City Park, 400 N. 200 West. “That goes from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.,” she said. “The band Vision will be live with us again. The food court opens at 11 a.m. The picnic in the park is sponsored by Ford. We’ll have roasted corn again so come out and eat.”

A patriotic program is at noon, Simonsen said. “We’ll have skydivers who will bring in the flag to honor veterans and first responders. There will be more prizes and a hula hooping contest.”

New to the show is the Tin Can Tourist group made up of restored travel trailers. “It started during the Depression,” said Darrell Buxton, a member of the club. “Everybody was headed to California. People would load up a Tin Lizzie and when they ran out of gas they would put a radiator cap on the hood and people would put money in it then they’d drive until they ran out of gas and do it again.”

They’ll be highlighted at the show, he said. “Most of them are antique trailers that have been refurbished and some have antique cars that pull them. One is the 1946 Curtis (Wright) Clipper, the precursor to the Airstream. I have a 1940 Teardrop that I’ve rebuilt.”

Come down, look at the cars and listen to live music, said Simonsen. “Last year we helped 563 kids. All proceeds go to buying warm winter clothes.”