The September 13th event will raise money for charity from the sale of raffle tickets. Gardner Magazine has seen some of the more than a dozen to 2 dozen prices and they are awesome.
Huge Fundraising Effort to Take Place at Local Business with a Big Heart
The 4th Annual Car Show and Food Truck Festival, hosted by the Meineke Car Care Center of Gardner, MA, is a community-focused event scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 2026 from noon to 4pm. The festival integrates automotive exhibitions, diverse culinary offerings, and live entertainment to serve a dual purpose: providing public recreation and generating financial support for charitable organizations. Notably, the event offers free admission to the public while raising funds through a large-scale raffle dedicated to veterans’ services and pediatric medical research.
The event is designed as a localized mid-day festival with specific parameters ensuring accessibility to the Gardner community:
- Date and Time: Saturday, September 13, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
- Location: Hosted on-site at Meineke, located at 412 Main Street, Gardner, MA.
- Admission: Entry is free of charge, lowering the barrier for community participation.
The festival features a multi-faceted entertainment program designed to appeal to automotive enthusiasts and the general public alike. The central feature of the event is a diverse display of specialized vehicles. The exhibition includes:
- Antique and Vintage Vehicles: A variety of classic and antique cars.
- Niche Categories: Specifically curated displays of race cars and movie-themed vehicles.
- Specialty Attractions: A featured vintage monster truck.
Live music is integrated into the festival environment to enhance the attendee experience. The musical performances are provided courtesy of the Red Onion Hotel.
The “Food Truck Festival” component of the event provides a wide array of dining options through various mobile vendors. The following table outlines the specific cuisines and food items available:
| Food Category | Specific Delicious Offerings |
|---|---|
| Main Entrees | Southern BBQ, Wood-fired pizza, Kebabs, Chicken Tenders |
| Traditional Fair Food | Hot Dogs, Fries |
| Dessert | Ice Cream |
A core objective of the event is the support of regional and national charitable causes. The festival utilizes a “large raffle” as its primary fundraising mechanism. The proceeds from this initiative are designated for two specific beneficiaries:
- Veterans Outreach Center: Providing support and resources for military veterans.
- St. Jude’s: Supporting pediatric treatment and research for catastrophic diseases.
The 4th Annual Car Show and Food Truck Festival represents a comprehensive community engagement strategy by Meineke Car Care Center. By combining high-interest exhibitions (monster trucks and movie-themed cars) with a diverse food landscape and live music, the event creates a high-traffic environment to facilitate its philanthropic goals for veterans and children’s health. View the infographics below. CLICK IMAGE for larger view.
