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Liberty’s first Celebration in the Park includes Elvis
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Tracy Miller of Liberty shows off Elvis memorabilia while sitting in the 1968 Cadillac DeVille she was showing at the festival in Church Hill Park in Liberty on Sunday. The event included music, food and a car show.
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Joe Warino, guitarist with the Classic Cruisers, performs during the Celebration in the Park.
By SEAN BARRON
LIBERTY
For several decades, Tracy Miller has been a huge Elvis Presley aficionado, so it stands to reason that she would nickname her dark-blue 1968 Cadillac DeVille “Blue Suede Shoes.”
The township woman’s love of the famous singer and movie star doesn’t stop there, however.
Her vintage car, with only about 75,000 miles, was stacked with compact discs, tapes, a blanket and a Christmas ornament under the hood, all with — you guessed it — Elvis insignia. Even a pair of blue suede shoes complemented the blanket propped up over the back seat.
Hers was one of a few dozen such vehicles that were a highlight of Sunday’s first Celebration in the Park gathering at Church Hill Park, off Belmont Avenue.
The eight-hour event, sponsored by the Liberty Historical Society and the township administration, also was a fundraiser for a community center that’s to be built near the administration building, 1315 Church Hill- Hubbard Road.
Miller said she got the 1968 DeVille about six years ago and that it took roughly three years to restore it. Everything under the hood and the interior is original, she continued, adding that she also has copies of Elvis’ birth and death certificates as well as all of his 45-rpm records.
“Yeah, I’m a big fan,” said Miller, wearing an Elvis T-shirt.
Sitting near Miller was her husband, Bill, owner of Miller’s Towing Inc. of Liberty, who was next to his red 1974 Chevrolet El Dorado and bright yellow 1975 Corvette Stingray.
Yellow pearl paint was used on the Corvette, which has about 55,000 miles, causing it to change color with varying angles of light, Bill Miller explained.
“That’s what caught my eye when I saw it,” he continued, adding that everything except the tires is original on the El Dorado.
The Millers are regulars at car shows and don’t place a number on how many they typically attend or take part in each year.
“If the weather’s nice, I’m there,” Bill Miller added.
Other vehicles from the Mahoning Valley Olde Car Club included a beige 1967 Ford Galaxie, a red 1946 Ford with a 350-horsepower engine and an orange two-seat 1933 Ford Roadster with off-white flames added.
Instead of a custom car at the event, Norma Goodhart of Boardman had for sale plenty of potholders and afghans she had crocheted. Nevertheless, she and Tracy Miller share one common trait: Both love Elvis.
Several years ago, Goodhart went to Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tenn., and got a carnation from his gravesite, she recalled.
Goodhart said she read an article in The Vindicator about the Celebration in the Park event and decided to participate. Also assisting was her boyfriend, Rick Koniowsky.
Also for sale were necklace sets, scarves, flip-flops, face cloths, jewelry and wooden memorial crosses.
The festivities were to raise money for the 5,000-square-foot community center, estimated to be $330,000, noted Carol Faustino, the historical society’s president.
The facility would house the historical society, Faustino said. Others who would use it include the Liberty Township Baseball Association and senior citizens for exercise programs as well as social and other gatherings, she pointed out.
In addition, W.S. Guy Middle School students would be able to go there to learn more about the township’s history, Faustino said, adding that she hopes it will be finished in 2011.
“Everything raised [from the event] will go toward the center,” she explained.
Entertaining attendees with plenty of oldies music was the Classic Cruisers. The celebration also featured clowns, area crafters, a Chinese auction, various displays and several food vendors.