Small town revving for a big day out

It’s a small country village with a population of just 300 people, but this February Cumnock is preparing to host one big motor show!

Cumnock’s now annual Muscle Car and Bike Show is being held on February 25, from 10am to 2pm. It’s the third year the show has been held in the village and in previous years the event has brought travellers from all over the region to experience the country vibes and take in the beautiful cars.

Organisers of the event, Baden Hart and his wife Dee have always had a passion for all things motor-related, and they were excited to share their passion with the town.

“I’ve got three brothers and all of us were just really into motorbikes, cars, and speedboats from a very young age,” Baden said.

“Mum and dad had a passion for cars, motorbikes and boats as well, so that’s where it came from. We just always grew up around it — always working in the shed, doing stuff with our hands, fixing cars and lawnmowers. Just motors. It was a hobby I guess, from a very young age, and I just never grew out of it!”

Baden clearly remembers his first-ever car, a Holden Tarana, that he got for his 17th birthday.

“The first thing I did was pull it apart and put it back together!” he said. 

“I don’t have a favourite car. I like all sorts of cars. I’m a Holden person, but then again I’m bringing three Ford utes [to the Cumnock show]. I just like nice cars.”

Baden’s keen to see a lot of new cars and bikes exhibiting this year, and is hoping that events like this will inspire people to dust off their old vehicles left sitting in the garage and get them out into the world again.

“It’s not about how much money you’ve spent on your cars – if it’s your passion, your pride and joy, then bring it along. It doesn’t have to be a $100,000 vehicle,” he said.

Putting together their own car show was not something Baden and Dee had ever done before, but the event has been a roaring success these past two years.

“The first one we had took about six weeks to organise and it just skyrocketed from there!” Baden said.

“Four hundred people turned up! Unfortunately, COVID affected the second one — and there were other events on the same weekend — but we’re expecting a big turnout this year.”

In past years, the event has been held in the carpark of the local Bowling Club, but this year there’s a change to a larger and more shady venue  – the Cumnock showground.

“There’ll be a barbeque on, ice cream truck and face painting for the kids — we really want it to be family-friendly,” Baden said.

“It’s just going to be a fun, family-friendly event. It only goes for four hours. It’s just a quick come out, show your car off, catch up with people kind of event. 

“We want people to come out to visit the town. We want them to come out and see that it's not just a town off the back road. Drive through the town, go to the store or the Bowling Club, have a look at the place, do the ‘Animals on Bikes’ [paddock art] tour and just enjoy yourself,” Baden enthused. 

If you’re interested in bringing a vehicle to the show, contact Baden Hart on 0466 156 151.