Old Bethpage Village Hosts Annual Model "A" Ford Show on June 8

Old Bethpage Village Bethpage will host the 36th annual Model “A” Ford Day on Sunday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., announced Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. The event, presented by the Model A Ford Club of Long Island and showcasing more than 60 historic Model A’s, will take place on the Village Fairgrounds, which is a recreation of the old Mineola Fairgrounds. (In the event that rain forces a cancellation, the event will take place on June 22.)

Model A’s were a common sight on the Mineola Fairgrounds during the 1930s, and that same effect will be recreated during this event. The Model A first appeared on America’s roads in 1927, and production continued in various styles and colors through 1931. Ultimately, more than 4.3 million Model A’s were produced in the U.S. and they remained reasonably common through the 1950s.

In addition to the vintage automobile display, the sounds of a late-l9th-century brass band will be recreated by the Old Bethpage Village Brass Band, performing at 2 and 3:15 p.m. At noon, a 19th-century “base ball” match will be played between the New York Knickerbockers and the Brooklyn Excelsiors. The two teams will carry gear and wear the uniforms of the time and play according to 19th-century rules.

Old Bethpage Village Restoration provides visitors with a unique and wonderful opportunity to step back in time and experience life in a recreated mid-19th-century American village set on more than 200 acres. Hours are Wed. - Fri., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Entrance fees are $7 for children 5 - 12 (those under 5 are free), seniors and volunteer firefighters; and $10 for adults. It is located on Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage; for more information, call 516-572-8400.