Utica’s Gasoline Alley car show to support local boy who has cancer

UTICA — Utica will be once again hosting its annual Gasoline Alley car show this Saturday while also supporting a local boy who has cancer.

The annual event involves a car show, swap meet and gas show in downtown Utica, across from Memorial Park. Vendor setup will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 11. Showtime will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12. Register show cars for $20 each. Swap meet spaces start at $25. Placement in the show is made on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Utica Lions Club will be serving up a pancake breakfast and hot dog lunch for donations. Additional features of the show include live dragsters, a 50/50 drawing and cash prizes.

Spectator admission is free, but organizers ask that spectators give a donation for parking.

Meghan Michelon, who runs the event, said that this year is special because the event will support 3-year-old Beckett Fowler.

“This year we are so honored to have been given the opportunity to bless the Fowler family. Beckett is such a sweet boy, and we wish that he could join us on the day of the show, but he is in full warrior mode at St. Jude hospital,” Michelon said in an email.

Beckett is a local child who is fighting a rare form of brain cancer, with tumors called ATRT, atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors. Beckett loves monster trucks, construction vehicles and his family most of all.

Beckett is being treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Beckett has had two brain surgeries, has had 30 rounds of brain radiation and is currently undergoing the beginning stages of what will be months of chemotherapy. Beckett’s family has made many sacrifices to ensure he receives the best care possible and to spend as much time as they can with him.

Beckett’s father, who is the sole provider for their family, has not been able to work due to the intense schedule of rigorous treatments.

Tammie Fowler, Beckett’s mom, said it is humbling that Beckett is the face of this event this year.  

“This community, our friends and our family have gone above and beyond for Beckett and our family. The Mayor, Gus (Calandrino), and Rick (Michelon) and Meghan from USA Tire are giving us an opportunity to show Beckett as the hero and the miracle that he is. He has went through so much in his little life and to celebrate him in this way is incredible. We are starting Beckett’s second round of chemo this Wednesday, and we are so blessed to have the support of so many people while we go through this nightmare. This event is so much more than just a car show — it’s a community of people that prove there is good in this world,” she said via email.

For more information, visit uticasgasolinealley.com. Memorial Park is next to the Utica Public Library at 7530 Auburn Road.