Down on Main car show back, focusing on charity efforts

CLAWSON — The beloved Clawson Lions car show, Down on Main Street, will return for its 26th year on Aug. 10.

Hundreds of cars will be taking over a half-mile of South Main Street starting at 14 Mile Road. All vehicles will be on display between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Down on Main Street began 26 years ago with Howie Airriess, who collaborated with local car club United Street Machine Association and the city of Clawson administration to put the event together.

“They agreed that this event would benefit the businesses in Clawson, and bring Clawson and surrounding people together and provide a fundraising opportunity for charity,” event Chair Clive Brown said in an email.

Airriess was a very active member of the Clawson community, and was even recognized for “Putting Clawson on the Map,” according to Brown. Airriess also served on the City Council for 12 years and the Planning Commission for 10 years.

Brown worked closely with Airriess since the beginning of Down on Main Street and eventually inherited the duties of event chair when Airriess passed away in January of 2021.

“I have been his right hand for most of the years, and that’s why I am able to do what I do now,” Brown said.

The Down on Main Street car show is not specifically for the reason of showing off hot rods, classic cars or custom vehicles; the main reason is to raise money for various charities.

“It’s not a classic car show, it’s a charity car show, and with that being said, the whole purpose of having this event is to raise funds for charity,” Brown said. “So, we are not going to turn somebody away who wants to donate to charity by entering a vehicle.”

The show donates to around 30 different charities. In 2023, the event was able to raise around $15,000, according to Brown — one of the best turnouts yet.

“Last year was a banger year for us; it was in the top three,” he said.

Brown said that expectations of how many cars there will be or how much money is raised are never held by him or other Clawson Lions organizing the event, because they never know what the outcome will be in terms of how many cars register.

Each year, the show has around 6,000 people come through to view the cars, according to Brown.

“If somebody was to ask me why they should participate, as a spectator or with a vehicle, I would say the major reason is that it is a very open air way to raise money for charity. You are giving to organizations that are good names,” he said.

Brown added that, with the 6,000 or so people who come through, attendees are sure to “run into old friends in the neighborhood.”

“There are eateries and taverns and small shops up and down the corridor on both sides that you know, you can visit, you can eat, have a cold drink, and again, meet with old friends,” he said.

Royal Oak resident Dick Plontus has been participating in the car show for two years and is planning to make 2024 his third.

Plontus will be showcasing four of his own custom vehicles: a 1946 Ford, 1947 Ford, 1934 Ford and a 1948 Ford.

Plontus is the owner of D & D Auto Parts in Troy and said that during the Down on Main car show, he gets to meet up with a lot of his customers and share his love for old cars.

“I like to go there and relax for the whole day, and I meet a lot of people that I know from all over,” he said.

Down on Main will be accepting early entries into the show up until Aug. 5 for $15. On the day of the show, people can still register their cars between 8 and 11 a.m. on Aug. 10 for $20. All proceeds will be going to the various charities that the show donates to.