CANFIELD FAIRGROUNDS Promoters to bring new hot-rod show

Promoters want to make the Steel Valley Nationals an annual event.
By IAN HILL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CANFIELD -- There will be hot rods at the Canfield Fairgrounds next summer, even though the Hot Rod Supernationals have been canceled.
Promoters are hoping to have 1,000 cars at the Steel Valley Nationals, a new car show set for Memorial Day weekend at the fairgrounds.
"It will be similar to the Hot Rod Supernationals, but with our own personal flair," said David Ehret, a promoter with Dave and Ed's Super Auto Events of Canton.
Ehret discussed details of the show at a press conference Tuesday. He said the company's goal is to keep the show affordable.
"All of our shows we try to keep very customer-friendly through the pricing," Ehret said. "You want to have it so families can come in and it's not going to break their pockets."
Admission will be $5 for adults and children under 12 free.
There will be a $25 advance entry fee for cars. The entry fee will be $30 the day of the show.
How it came about
Ehret said his company decided to hold the Steel Valley Nationals after talking to local car enthusiasts concerned that the Supernationals had been canceled.
Promoters canceled the 2004 Supernationals earlier this year because of scheduling problems. The event typically has been held at the fairgrounds on Memorial Day weekend.
Fair board members said they were pleased to have the Steel Valley Nationals to replace the Supernationals.
"We're really happy to see them step up [and hold the Steel Valley Nationals] and see what they can do with it," said George Less, fair board president. "[The Supernationals] creates a lot of money in the community. We're anxious to see what happens."
Last year's Supernationals drew several thousand cars and 50,000 people to the fairgrounds. It creates more than $1 million in spending on hotels, food and gas.
Supernationals promoters have said they plan to bring their show back to the fairgrounds in 2005.
Fair officials, however, said the Steel Valley Nationals will be given the first opportunity to decide on holding an event on Memorial Day weekend in 2005. Ehret said Dave and Ed's wants to make the Steel Valley Nationals an annual event.
Dave and Ed's Super Auto Events has been holding annual three-day swap meets at the fairgrounds for the past 12 years. An average of about 35,000 people attended last year's swap meets, Ehret said.