HANCOCK COUNTY — If there was a title being handed out for Car Show Corridor, Scott McCain might want to nominate State Road 67.
He’s seen the gatherings in recent years along Pendleton Pike: a weekly cruise-in in downtown Fortville, a group in a restaurant lot in Pendleton, a Friday night meet-up outside a store in Oaklandon.
McCain took his classic car to some of the Fortville cruise-ins and some other car shows. Over time he noticed how conversations there grew into friendships. Eventually his church began an automobile-themed group, one of several Hancock County churches bringing people together over cars.
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“I started noticing if you’ve had a bad day at work or you’re a little stressed, all of a sudden when you’re around folks with a common interest … it kind of puts your mind in a happy place.
“It’s kind of therapeutic.”
A few miles south of Outlook, a car show is in the plans for September at Mt. Comfort United Methodist Church, following the church’s debut show in July 2017.
George Winterstein, a member of the Mt. Comfort church, said it was an effort to raise a little money for youth events and raise some exposure for the church.
“It certainly got a lot of attention on the front lawn,” he said. “It was really very good considering it was our first year. We were very pleased.”
Organizer Doug Hampton said about 150 cars were part of the show last year, and he’s hoping for more than 200 in September.
Hampton said the event is a low-key way to look at cars and see the church. People can find out more about the church and its programs, including a preschool and an after-school group on Thursdays.
The band will play some religious music, he said, but it will also play some rock ‘n’ roll songs, including Elvis Presley music. Car owners pay entry fees to compete in the show, and hotdogs and pulled pork meals with macaroni and cheese will be available for sale, but there’s no admission charge to stop by and look at the cars.
“It’s just a fun time just to chew the fat and talk to people who are interested in the same type of thing as you are,” Hampton said.
First Church of the Nazarene also has a car show coming up in September. Its 11th annual Labor Day Car Show also features trucks and bikes and includes food and music.
McCain has participated in various car shows in the area; he was part of one recently for vintage cars only that raised money for charity. But he thought it would be nice to add a weekly gathering of car enthusiasts to McCordsville.
He wanted it to offer the flexibility of a cruise-in, where there’s more freedom to arrive and leave when one pleases. He also wanted a wide range of car owners, from the teen fixing up a first car to the adult who can afford a flashier ride, to come.
So last summer, he and a few friends at Outlook Christian Church started a Cars and Coffee (and doughnuts) group at the church. If you have a car you’re proud of, he says, or if you don’t have a car to show off but like to look at cars, you can come.
On the second and fourth Saturdays of June, July and August, car owners and/or viewers gather at 9 a.m. in the parking lot at 6531 N. County Road 600W, McCordsville.
People mill around the parking lot admiring 15 to 25 cars. The church doors are open for those who need a restroom. Sometimes those driving by notice the cars and pull into the lot.
More than 50 people are on an email roster to receive photos from the gatherings.
McCain prints out a Bible verse and lays copies on the sign-in table, where those who want a copy can take one. Though a person or two have started attending church as a result of coming to Cars and Coffee, the verse on the table is the only overtly spiritual content offered on these mornings.
“We don’t push religion on them,” McCain said. “It really is kind of a social activity … and it just happens to be with cars.”
McCain said friendships form in the parking lot. Sometimes normally quiet people become more talkative over a hobby they’re passionate about. Sometimes the person he chats cars with in the parking lot may be the same person he runs into at the grocery store.
“They’re all out there visiting on a common ground … standing on a church parking lot,” he said. “I’ve made friends that I would not have made if we didn’t do this.”
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Cars and Coffee: 9 a.m. Aug. 25 (last meeting of 2018 season) at Outlook Christian Church, 6531 N. County Road 600W, McCordsville. Gather to show your car or look at others’ over coffee and doughnuts. Information: Scott McCain at [email protected].
Mt. Comfort United Methodist Church Car Show: noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 15 at the church, 3179 N. County Road 600W (Mt. Comfort Road), Greenfield. Pulled pork meals, hot dogs, live music. Information: 317-894-8965 or mcmethodist.com
Labor Day Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 3 at First Church of the Nazarene, 1980 S. State St., Greenfield. Pulled pork, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks. Also features music, a cake walk and Hot Wheel races. Information: 317-407-3398; greenfieldfirst.org.
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