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Keeping the Olds in Oldsmar Days

This year's festival will feature an Oldsmobile-only classic car show as General Motors closes out the make.

OLDSMAR - The city's longest-running party is going back to the classics.

To help mark the end of the Oldsmobile, this weekend's 43rd Oldsmar Days Festival will feature two classic car shows, including one for Oldsmobiles only.

The man who invented the nation's oldest auto brand, Ransom Eli Olds, also built the city that now bears his name. And though General Motors Co. will stop making Oldsmobiles this year, Oldsmar/Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce president Kevin Gartland said Olds' legacy should live on - through his city.

"It's part of our city's history," Gartland said. "Though they may not be making Oldsmobiles any more, we don't want the link to fade away. We actually think it's kind of cool, and we want to build on it."

Saturday's car show will feature up to 100 Oldsmobiles from the brand's 100-year-plus history. On Sunday, non-Oldsmobile automotive antiques will take center stage.

"We really wanted to start bringing the classic car and old-style automobiles in the festival," Gartland said. "It's part of our heritage."

The city's newest piece of Olds heritage also will be on display this weekend. Mayor Jerry Beverland will drive the city's 1901 replica Oldsmobile during Saturday's Oldsmar Days parade. The replica antique, which the city purchased for $14,000 last year, is now on display in City Hall. Other city officials and dignitaries also will ride in classic Olds cars during the mile-long parade, which starts at 11 a.m.

Along with the classic car exhibition and parade, the three-day festival features carnival rides, arts and crafts exhibitions and on Sunday, cooks from eight area restaurants will vie to become the city's "Wing King."

People visiting Oldsmar Days sample chicken wings for 50 cents and then vote for their favorite.

"It always brings the people in," Gartland said.

Also back are some of the event's best all-time performers, including T.C. Carr and the Venturas, Bill Wharton and the Ingredients and The Landsharks, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band.

"All together, this is one of the best lineups we've ever had," Gartland said.

WHAT: 43rd Annual Oldsmar Days Festival

WHERE: R.E. Olds Park, corner of Bayview Boulevard and Shore Drive

WHEN: 5-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Noon-7 p.m. Sunday

ADMISSION: Free

MORE INFORMATION: (813) 855-4233

Friday

6 p.m. - Pumpin' Ethyl (Classic rock)

Saturday

7 a.m. - Armadillo Run 5K, 10K and 1-mile walk

11 a.m. - Oldsmar Days parade (State Street and Park Boulevard)

Noon - The Landsharks (Jimmy Buffett tribute) 1 p.m.; Oldsmobile classic car show

4 p.m. - Full House (Country and rock)

6 p.m. - The Barracudas (Beach and oldies)

Sunday

Noon - All-Comers Classic Car Show

1:15 p.m. - T.C. Carr and the Venturas (Rhythm and blues)

2 p.m. - "Wing Wars" Chicken Wing Cook-Off

3:15 p.m. - Bill "The Sauce Boss" Wharton and the Ingredients (Rhythm and blues)