By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Danny Rolin wanted last Saturday’s (April 20) Sharon Brown Car Show to be a bigger event than last year, so when an area BMX team canceled its scheduled appearance at the last minute, Rolin took it upon himself to build a small ramp and try some tricks himself. He paid dearly for that dedication to the cause.
Rolin’s bike veered off-course, dumping the State Lawn Pawn employee and event organizer face-first into the Presley Street asphalt. Several attendees, including at least one emergency responder who lives near the site, rushed to his attention, but the bruised biker was able to get up on his own.
“I’m telling you, another four inches and I could have made everybody happy,” Rolin joked this week. “Once I say something, I keep my word. I was up until 1 a.m. that morning, got back up at 4, and went back at it. I’ll be going to the doctor and get my back, shoulders and neck checked out. It is what it is.”
Will he take such drastic steps in the future to make sure the show goes on?
“I’m thinking now that I won’t even jump a mud puddle,” he said. “I’m going to walk right through it.”
Hundreds of people roamed the parking lot of the strip mall where the mini-festival was staged. More than a dozen businesses and organizations had booths or tents set up; Changing a Generation Ministry handed out free, freshly grilled barbecue sandwiches; and impersonators who appeared as Rosco P. Coltrane and Uncle Jesse from The Dukes of Hazzard were on hand, with a replica of the General Lee and Coltrane’s sheriff’s cruiser.
Stars of Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners were on hand, as were Hall-of-Fame wrestlers.
“I think it was a great deal,” Rolin said. “We raised a good bit of money for Panhandle Wounded Warrior Project [Dan Henderson, the organization’s CEO, attended]. I think it was a successful show, better than last year.”
The following people took home trophies in the car show, which drew more than 75 entries:
Fan Favorite
James Brazwell, 1969 Firebird
Moonshiner Trophy
Rick Ryan, 1930 Model A
Blissful Ride Trophy
Christopher Rice, 2014 Ford Mustang
Best Paint
Pee Wee Powell, 1966 Chevy
Best Interior
Jamie Allen
Best Engine
Micah Presley, 1969 Camaro
Top 10
James McNeil
James and Jan Jeter
Ray Rolin
Eddie Tullis
Rex McKinley
Frisco Gehman
Danny Protsman
David and Teresa Brown
Randy Johnson
Todd Parker