SWAMPSCOTT ― Ten years ago, Danielle Strauss said that the registration for Classics by the Sea, the town’s premier car show, seemed really low leading up to the event.
“I didn’t think many people would come because not many cars pre-registered,” said Strauss, the recreation director for Swampscott. She said that she was completely wrong. “The cars just kept coming and coming.”
Classics by the Sea is back for its decennial anniversary. On Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monument Avenue will be lined with classic cars and a DJ will be on scene to play ‘50s music. This year, it’s even being held in conjunction with the Swampscott Farmers Market, so people can munch on local food while they ogle vintage autos.
“On a good day, we’ll fill up Monument Avenue, the Town Hall Lawn, and Linscott Park,” Strauss said.
This year, she’s hoping for just as good of a turn out as in the past.
Strauss said the car show is held every year on Columbus Day weekend. She said that it really is a word-of-mouth event, adding that people will come from across New England to see the cars.
“A few years back, we had a couple from Connecticut,” Strauss said.
The car show was canceled last year, along with much of the town’s regular programming, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strauss said that she’s excited to have the car show back for its 10th anniversary.
“I live in Swampscott; for me, to see our community out and see other people, it’s really special,” Strauss said, adding that having summer events like the Swamptoberfest made her really excited to see her community engaging with each other.
“It’s so wonderful to see neighbors out and about,” Strauss said. “It gives us a sense of community and quality of life.”
