Stories and cars shine at Arlington show Saturday

ARLINGTON — Kenny Countryman has been interested in vehicles since he was a boy. And he’s been driving for more than 65 years.

In fourth grade, Countryman and his brother LeRoy would drive their family’s Model A tractor to town and park it at his aunt’s house. From there they walked to up to Roosevelt School, now the site of the Arlington Public Schools administration building.

Now, Countryman, 74, and his wife, Shirley, like to display old vehicles at the Downtown Arlington Show ‘n’ Shine.

The 14th annual car show is set for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on Olympic Avenue between First and Division streets.

Registration is $20 for those who want to participate in the show. The sponsors, the Downtown Arlington Business Association and the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, plan to give a portion of the proceeds to the Arlington Food Bank. Information about registration is available by calling Marilyn Bullock at 360-435-4963.

The Countrymans plan to display their purple 1951 El Camino, a vehicle that they had shipped from Australia about 10 years ago, Kenny Countryman said.

Also at the Show ‘n’ Shine, Countryman hopes to park his yellow 1953 Suburban, which he said was used as a school bus in a small town in Eastern Washington.

Bullock said the annual car show had its start downtown when the Countrymans, who owned Countryman Collectibles antique store, hosted the event. It was taken over by the downtown merchants group when they retired.

“After Olympic Avenue was renovated, the show grew,” Bullock said. “Today we have parking for about 300 cars. The variety is wonderful, and many people say it the show feels like a family reunion.”

Car show awards are to be given at about 3 p.m. Saturday.

The organization Pennies for Puppies and Ponies plans to host a demonstration by off-duty police officers and their dogs. Money raised supports the training of canine units, Bullock said.

Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.