MCDONALD Thunder in the Park will be bigger, louder

A cover photo and two-page article in a car magazine feature the show.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
McDONALD -- Denis Dean figures his love of cars has developed from birth.
"I got into them because of my dad and my brother," said Dean, known as "Diz."
He still owns the first Pontiac GTO he bought new in 1974 -- the one he worked on for years to restore with the help of his father. His entries won the Pontiac Grand Nationals twice.
He wrote his own column about cars for magazines for several years and shares the passion of other car owners for entering their prized vehicles into shows for others to admire.
It's part of the reason he took over organizing duties for the annual car show in the village.
"It was started by Steve Treharn, who's a councilman now," he explains. "He decided to have it, and all proceeds would go to" McDonald Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 194.
When Treharn gave up his part in planning the event, Dean stepped in, getting plenty of help from FOP members, especially President Bill Orechoneg.
Now in its eighth year, Thunder in the Park is set for its biggest showing ever. The festivities are set for 4 to 8 p.m. July 27 in Woodland Park.
Dean said organizers have made a few changes this year and are expecting bigger crowds than ever because of a special car appearance and some heavy-duty advance publicity.
Dave Blaney's No. 77 Jasper Engines Ford Taurus is scheduled to appear. Visitors will be able to receive free postcards of the vehicle, as well as have the chance to sit in the car. The visit is sponsored by Commercial Truck & amp; Trailer Inc. of Girard.
That, and a two-page spread and a cover photo in Cruisin' Times magazine in May could bring in people who've never visited the show before, Dean said.
"I always said as long as I got 100 cars to participate, then it was worth it," he said. "I'm betting there will be more than that this year."
In Top 10
Cruisin' Times has also named Thunder in the Park one of the Top 10 car shows in Northeast Ohio for the past two years. One of the reasons the magazine cites for the show's success is the "goodie bags" participants receive.
Dean said each year, the show's sponsors come through with donations for the bags, which usually contain a minimum of 25 items. The bags have everything from pens and pencils to samples of hand cleaner and car accessories, Dean said.
"Without those sponsors, there's no way this show could ever happen," he said.
While participants must pay to show a vehicle -- $6 in advance or $8 the day of the show -- the public can share in the festivities at no cost. Food and drink will be sold at the show, and the playground and kiddie pool will be open and supervised by park employees throughout the event.
"There's also going to be door prizes, T-shirts for sale and a 50/50 raffle," Dean said. "I think last year the winner went home with more than $600."
Judging takes place from 5 to 7 p.m., with awards presented at 7:30 p.m. Plaques will be presented to the top 70 cars, with only one award per car. Special awards include the Mayor's Award, the Chief of Police Award and the FOP President's Award.
Dean said new to this year's show is the Top 5 Award for cars from 2000 and up. He said the new award was designed to keep all participants happy, since owners of older cars weren't always happy with those showing vehicles fresh off the showroom floor.
"I have a hard time saying no to anyone who wants to show their car," he said. "Judging is always the hard part. I think for a car lover, that's one of the hardest things you can do."
He tries to keep everything fair in the area of judging too by recruiting people as judges who aren't entering a vehicle in the show and who are not familiar with participants.
It's just one of the ways Dean said he and other organizers try to keep the annual event fun and friendly for families.
Anyone interested in showing a car can preregister through Friday, or register the day of the show from 2 to 5 p.m. The rain date for Thunder in the Park 2003 is Sept. 7.
For information, call Dean at (330) 530-1717.
slshaulis@vindy.com