• Erie, Pennsylvania, car shows generate family fun.Close up detail of a classic car at a car show image by Rob Hill from Fotolia.com
  
  Lining small-town Main Streets with classic and customized cars is a Pennsylvania tradition. It gets neighbors and car enthusiasts outside to enjoy Erie's landscape, to have a bite or drink in local restaurants, and to talk cars. There are several shows in the Erie area each spring, summer and fall.
  
  

North East National Rib Fest

• The North East National Rib Festival each August celebrates the local delicacy of ribs with a custom car show, motorcycles, vendors, crafts, live bands and a petting zoo in the Gravel Pit Park, North East. The event is sponsored by the Fuller Hose Volunteer Fire Department, on the outskirts of Erie. Admission is $3, and children 12 and younger get in free, as of summer 2010. A donated can of food knocks $1 off admission. The car show takes place the Saturday afternoon of the weekend event, followed by the Jim Archer Memorial Bike Show on Sunday.
  
  North East National Rib Fest
  
  North East Chamber of Commerce
  
  17 E. Main St.
  
  North East, PA 16428
  
  814-725-3308
  
  nechamber.org
  
  

Dan Rice Days

• The August event celebrates Erie's own Dan Rice, a famous circus performer from the 1800s, with a classic car show, parade, an antique show, crafts, live music and a Civil War re-enactment. The 20-year-old event, as of 2010, stretches over the course of a weekend, from Thursday night to Saturday, in Girard, on the outskirts of Erie. It kicks off with a Clown Contest on opening night, with festival foods and artisan booths lining the streets. Dan Rice was a comedian, clown, animal trainer, singer, dancer and speaker. The classic car show includes a downtown cruise-in.
  
  Dan Rice Days Committee
  
  Girard Borough Office
  
  34 Main St. W.
  
  Girard, PA 16417-1612
  
  814-774-9683
  
  danricedays.com
  
  

Brookdale Family Campground Car Show Weekend

• Brookdale Family Campground in Meadville, 45 minutes south of Erie, holds a Car Show Weekend each May. The one-day event has free entry and is open to classic autos, imports, street rods, hot rods and trucks. The cars will be judged, with a first- and second-place trophy for each "best in class." The four categories are classic, from 1920 through the 1970s, street or hotrod, sport compact and truck. There will also be a price for best engine bay and best audio system. Reserve a place online, or call ahead to reserve a spot.
  
  Car Show Weekend
  
  Brookdale Family Campground Car Show
  
  25164 State Hwy. 27
  
  Meadville, PA 16335
  
  814-789-3251
  
  brookdalecampground.com