Car parade rolls into Warren

The cars will be parked at the museum all weekend.
By JAYME RAMSON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
WARREN -- Packard cars arrived Thursday in Warren, the latest stop on a cross-country tour that originated in San Francisco.
Onlookers gathered along Mahoning Avenue to watch the parade of Packard cars go through the city. More cars were expected to arrive Thursday night and today.
The event commemorates the 100th anniversary of the transcontinental run from San Francisco to New York by Tom Fetch of the Packard Motor Car Co. to prove the car's endurance and durability.
The Packards Across America 14th annual car show coincides with an ongoing cross-country trip and runs today through Sunday.
Excited about event
Mike Yost, chairman of the car show, was glad to get the show under way Thursday.
"We're thrilled about the event, especially since the weather cleared and today turned out as nice as it is," Yost said. "We hope the nice weather stays throughout the weekend."
The Packard drivers were just as excited to be in Warren.
After a ceremony in Jefferson on Thursday and a stop at Fetch's grave, the drivers made the hour-long trek to Warren.
Ray Kyle of Hubbard drove his 1950 Packard, a four-door sedan, to Bellvue on Wednesday night for the trip to Jefferson and Warren.
"The trip has been wonderful so far," Kyle said. "No problems, and the weather has been great. It's just fun driving the old cars and being with other Packard owners and enjoying the hobby."
A homecoming trip
Mark and Sue Skidmore have driven the cross-country tour all the way from their home in Phoenix, Ariz., in their black Packard. The stop in Warren is special for Sue.
The couple used to live in Jefferson, and Sue grew up in Youngstown. They were looking forward to spending time in Ohio and eating local cuisine.
For them, the trip has been worth it.
"Lots of people say, 'Are you really driving that all the way across the country, and does it have air conditioning?' No, it does not have air conditioning, and yes, we drove it all the way from Phoenix, Arizona," Sue said. "We've had a wonderful trip, and the people we've met have been superb."