2nd Memorial Car Show 2011
Around the Bend by Daneele Shipman
Tyler's Mom Daneele writes a column for Frazee-Vergas Forum. Below is the column published after the 2nd Annual show - http://www.frazeeforum.com/
Now that I have my first big event under my belt, I am more than a little relieved. The Second Annual Tyler Shipman Memorial Car Show went off without a hitch. All the planning in the world, however, can’t control things like weather. As I was driving into the car show Saturday morning, it was raining so hard that I couldn’t even see and my Fiero wipers only work on low. Fieros all seem to have their own unique quirks and mine is no different.
Once I got to Frazee, we had a very wet setup, but everyone was in good spirits. Jimmie Anderson did a wonderful job as DJ and he really kept the crowd going. The total car count was 65, with several late arrivals waiting out the weather conditions. All in all it was a success with around $4600 raised, but the car show was really just the tip of the iceberg for our household this past weekend.
We had Fieros showing up in our yard Thursday afternoon, with about eight people showing up for what we dubbed “Camp Shipman.” I would describe our anticipation for the weekend bordering on giddy to say the least. Danyel Potvin and his wife Helen arrived after traveling an estimated 2500 miles from Quebec to camp in our yard. Danyel, while not able to make it to the Tyler’s Toy rebuild, he was extremely involved from afar with organization and planning. He also is the administrator for Tylerstoy.com, the website dedicated to Tyler’s story and the men and women who participated in the car’s rebirth. Thursday we stayed up until almost 4:00 a.m. sitting around the campfire and still I couldn’t sleep due to excitement.
By Friday afternoon, the Fieros started rolling in. We had people from Minnesota, Texas, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, Florida, Iowa, California, North Dakota and more. We had campers pitching tents in all corners of the yard and cars parked everywhere. It was fun to see familiar faces and also meet new ones. I likened this to a family reunion. Friday night was our “Fiero Feast” party. Our hometown friends enjoyed visiting with our guests as well. I would estimate we had about 75-80 people over Friday for food and fun. Conversations could be heard about all manner of things Fiero, but also other topics concerning kids, work, family and even politics. Much good natured fun was being had. Again, we found ourselves up until the wee hours of the morning. With the car show coming bright and early, my nerves got the better of me and I did not sleep very well again.
The show itself was very fun, although I honestly didn’t get to look at any of the cars! I have been working so hard on planning this event that once it got here it was a huge relief to finally be able to put my plans in action. I am continually amazed at the support we receive from our community and beyond and it feels good to give back. Raising money for the Tyler Shipman Memorial Scholarship has become a passion of mine. Tyler loved his town and it seems giving back to the kids in this way is a fitting tribute.
Sunday after the parade, most of our out of town friends headed down the highway and it was difficult to say goodbye knowing that we probably won’t see these people for a year or two or more. We did have a small group stay one additional night and somehow ended up racing ATVs and even attending karaoke. By Monday afternoon, we were down to our little family again and I must say I was exhausted and in sore need of a nap.
When I talk about the car show I realize most people who are not involved in any car community probably do not “get it.” I didn’t either, so it isn’t surprising. It’s not about the cars or really even the car show itself. Of course I love the cars and I seem to have developed an addiction for them; however, the cars would mean nothing without the people who drive them. I can’t explain the bond we have with these people who were virtual strangers to us a couple of years ago other than it seems the thread of Tyler’s life has tied us all together in this way that continues to grow stronger. We have lost something so precious to us, but before he left the world he gave us a tremendous gift, this connection. When I spend time with these people, when I listen to them talk about their cars, I often catch a glimpse of a twinkle or a little smile and see Tyler looking back at me. His spirit has spread among us and this varied group of strangers like a cool summer breeze, ruffling our hair, making us smile and bringing us joy.
Our family found ourselves broke down, stranded on the side of the road, and in true Fiero fashion, we have been rescued by these amazing people in more ways than one. I am already looking forward to next year, or at least I will be as soon as I catch up on my sleep!
Now that I have my first big event under my belt, I am more than a little relieved. The Second Annual Tyler Shipman Memorial Car Show went off without a hitch. All the planning in the world, however, can’t control things like weather. As I was driving into the car show Saturday morning, it was raining so hard that I couldn’t even see and my Fiero wipers only work on low. Fieros all seem to have their own unique quirks and mine is no different.
Once I got to Frazee, we had a very wet setup, but everyone was in good spirits. Jimmie Anderson did a wonderful job as DJ and he really kept the crowd going. The total car count was 65, with several late arrivals waiting out the weather conditions. All in all it was a success with around $4600 raised, but the car show was really just the tip of the iceberg for our household this past weekend.
We had Fieros showing up in our yard Thursday afternoon, with about eight people showing up for what we dubbed “Camp Shipman.” I would describe our anticipation for the weekend bordering on giddy to say the least. Danyel Potvin and his wife Helen arrived after traveling an estimated 2500 miles from Quebec to camp in our yard. Danyel, while not able to make it to the Tyler’s Toy rebuild, he was extremely involved from afar with organization and planning. He also is the administrator for Tylerstoy.com, the website dedicated to Tyler’s story and the men and women who participated in the car’s rebirth. Thursday we stayed up until almost 4:00 a.m. sitting around the campfire and still I couldn’t sleep due to excitement.
By Friday afternoon, the Fieros started rolling in. We had people from Minnesota, Texas, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, Florida, Iowa, California, North Dakota and more. We had campers pitching tents in all corners of the yard and cars parked everywhere. It was fun to see familiar faces and also meet new ones. I likened this to a family reunion. Friday night was our “Fiero Feast” party. Our hometown friends enjoyed visiting with our guests as well. I would estimate we had about 75-80 people over Friday for food and fun. Conversations could be heard about all manner of things Fiero, but also other topics concerning kids, work, family and even politics. Much good natured fun was being had. Again, we found ourselves up until the wee hours of the morning. With the car show coming bright and early, my nerves got the better of me and I did not sleep very well again.
The show itself was very fun, although I honestly didn’t get to look at any of the cars! I have been working so hard on planning this event that once it got here it was a huge relief to finally be able to put my plans in action. I am continually amazed at the support we receive from our community and beyond and it feels good to give back. Raising money for the Tyler Shipman Memorial Scholarship has become a passion of mine. Tyler loved his town and it seems giving back to the kids in this way is a fitting tribute.
Sunday after the parade, most of our out of town friends headed down the highway and it was difficult to say goodbye knowing that we probably won’t see these people for a year or two or more. We did have a small group stay one additional night and somehow ended up racing ATVs and even attending karaoke. By Monday afternoon, we were down to our little family again and I must say I was exhausted and in sore need of a nap.
When I talk about the car show I realize most people who are not involved in any car community probably do not “get it.” I didn’t either, so it isn’t surprising. It’s not about the cars or really even the car show itself. Of course I love the cars and I seem to have developed an addiction for them; however, the cars would mean nothing without the people who drive them. I can’t explain the bond we have with these people who were virtual strangers to us a couple of years ago other than it seems the thread of Tyler’s life has tied us all together in this way that continues to grow stronger. We have lost something so precious to us, but before he left the world he gave us a tremendous gift, this connection. When I spend time with these people, when I listen to them talk about their cars, I often catch a glimpse of a twinkle or a little smile and see Tyler looking back at me. His spirit has spread among us and this varied group of strangers like a cool summer breeze, ruffling our hair, making us smile and bringing us joy.
Our family found ourselves broke down, stranded on the side of the road, and in true Fiero fashion, we have been rescued by these amazing people in more ways than one. I am already looking forward to next year, or at least I will be as soon as I catch up on my sleep!