During the 50th Anniversary of Antique Auto Days on July 19 and 20, you'll see dozens of classic, vintage, antique, hot rods, muscle cars and much more all parked on the Village Green at the Boothbay Railway Village. This all makes and models show in partnership with the Maine Obsolete Auto League is actually older that the museum itself.

Back in 1964, George McEvoy, the museum’s founder, had stirred up quite a bit of excitement when he purchased and moved Freeport Station to Boothbay in order to display his growing collection of railroad memorabilia to the public. That spring there were many news articles about his project, and it caught the attention of many like-minded collectors of transportation history. One of those like-minded people was author and historian Robert Jordan Dingley of North Yarmouth.

Dingley and McEvoy had met while George was a student at Nasson College. They shared a love for early automobiles like Ford’s famous Model T. Dingley even assisted McEvoy with his thesis. Later, Dingley was following McEvoy’s progress in building Maine’s first railroad museum and wanted to help. He was then the president of the Maine Obsolete Auto League (MOALS) and he and other members decide they would help McEvoy get even more press by staging a show of their antique autos on the field behind Freeport Station. That first year about 15 cars participated.

Later, Antique Auto Days would grow into a much larger show regularly featuring a hundred or more cars of all makes and models on the museum’s Village Green. McEvoy remembers that some years, lodging operators would tell him that they made more money during Antique Auto Days than during Windjammer Days because the cars would come for the whole week. There were once lobster bakes for the car owners both at the museum and sometimes at Robinson’s Wharf on Southport. The highlight of the weekend was always a parade through Boothbay Harbor and sometimes a ride out around Ocean Point. McEvoy recalls “almost every year the wrecker brought up the rear of the parade. Most years the wrecker ended up bringing back at least one vehicle, some years we even had to have the wrecker towed!”

Anyone who owns a classic, antique, hot rod, muscle car, rat rod or other cool vehicle is invited to show it off on the Village Green on July 19 and 20. If you are not a member of MOALS there is just a small $5 entry fee upon arrival, no pre-registration required. Car owners receive free admission to the museum, a coupon book with local offers and a commemorative dash plaque. A People’s Choice trophy will also be awarded.

As the years have passed more and more car shows have been started around the state and Northern New England. None have lasted the test of time as long as Antique Auto Days. The museum has added some new twists to this year’s anniversary event.

A special section will be reserved for all 1964 Models as well as a section just for any model year Pontiac GTO and Ford Mustang which are both celebrating their 50th birthday this year.  

A new Auto Parts Swap Meet & Flea Market will offer collectors a chance to scoop up a deal throughout the weekend. Those who wish to set up in the flea market need to register in advance. A form is available on the Museum’s website. The fee is just $10 for a 10 by 10 foot space for the entire weekend.

Beer festival

A new open air craft beer festival called Rails, Tails & Ales on Saturday, July 19 from noon to 4 p.m. Eight Maine breweries will be serving more than 16 different beers. Tickets for a wristband to enjoy ten 4-ounce beer tastings is just $30 (must be 21) and include museum admission as well as a unique souvenir beer mug. Tasting tickets are on sale on the Museum’s website, at the Museum and at the Boothbay Craft Brewery & Watershed Tavern.

An expanded food court will include everything from lobster rolls to pork BBQ and from wood-fired pizza to kettle corn. 

A new sock hop will have the 1847 Boothbay Town Hall rocking ‘n’ rolling on Saturday night. The Crown Vics play traditional rockabilly in a style that honors the era of Carl Perkins and Scotty Moore. The Crown Vics tear it up with new energy and enthusiasm. The music starts at 7 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the sock hop will $10 each at the door. 

The traditional Sunday afternoon parade through downtown Boothbay Harbor will depart the Museum grounds at 2 p.m. Guests are encouraged to come see the show before that time as many of the cars head directly for home after the parade.

The Village will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with hourly train departures between 10 to 4. Admission to the Museum including the car show, flea market and, of course, train rides is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Museum members get in free. Contact the Boothbay Railway Village for more information at 207-633-4727, or online at www.railwayvillage.org. The Boothbay Railway Village is located at 586 Wiscasset Road, Route 27 in Boothbay.