20 Years of Success

DAYTON - Downtown Dayton underwent a transformation in the early 1990s. Main Street, between the Touchet River Bridge and Fourth Street, was closed for six months while the road surface and the utilities underneath it were replaced. New curbs and sidewalks were added, trees were planted, street lamps and street furniture were put in place.

Downtown Dayton's historic buildings and its beautiful new streetscape were a showplace waiting to be shown off.

In 1995, the Dayton Chamber of Commerce was looking for a way to do just that. It was only a couple of years after Main Street reopened when a group of car enthusiasts thought that maybe a little car show in Dayton wouldn't be a bad idea.

Bette Lou Crothers, who was (and still is) the owner of the local State Farm Insurance office, headed up a group to put that first car show together. (She has chaired the All Wheels Committee every year since.)

"The Main Street project had just been completed," she said in an interview awhile back. "We needed an excuse to get local residents and visitors to come downtown and enjoy it."

They were hoping they could attract 50 cars. They got more than 125 cars, and a crowd that loved the event. "We were blown away!" Crothers said.

The event grew from there, held each year on Father's Day weekend. The Friday night cruise, with the presentation of cars, and the Saturday Show & Shine on Main Street, became the main events around which a growing stable of highlights evolved.

Several new features will be added this year, for the 20th anniversary. (See Schedule at right.) And at least 400 cars are likely to take part in the show.