Model A Ford's Return to Heritage Festival in 2019

AHOOGA……..A Convoy of Model A Fords Are Coming to Town!

Ahooga-Ahooga!!!!! That’s the distinctive and exclusive sound of the horn on a Model A Ford. And, many of them will roll into Halifax County to attend the 16^th.

Annual Heritage & Antique Machinery Festival again this year. This will be the eight year the Model A Fords have participated as a group in the Festival. Two or more Model A Ford clubs will be arriving from out of town again this year to be joined by the local Virginia – Carolina Model A Ford Club on Friday, May 3^rd., and remain in Halifax County for the entire weekend. The Fairfield Inn & Suites in Riverdale will again serve as the host hotel.

The Model A Ford was produced by the Ford Motor Company from 1928 to 1931 and is probably the most recognized antique automobile in the world. The Model A Ford is certainly an integral part of the heritage of Halifax County and remembered by many of its citizens over the years.

The local Virginia – Carolina Model A Ford Club, the Colonial Virginia Model A Ford Club from the Williamsburg area, the Cape Henry Model A Ford Club from the Virginia Beach and Portsmouth areas, along with clubs from Raleigh and Waynesboro, will again come together in Halifax County to enjoy what the clubs’ bill as the “Model A Ford Weekend. The primary emphasis will be participation in the Halifax County Heritage & Antique Machinery Festival, and as in the past, visit other venues in the county. In past years, the host club has showcased to the out of town visitors in particular different county venues such as Springfield, Shangrila Guest Ranch, Berry Hill Plantation, Greenwood Winery, and others.

Following their visit to the Heritage Festival on Saturday this year, the clubs will be hosted by Sharon Wilborn at “Sunny View” in Cluster Springs.

Thirty or more Model A Fords will be on display at the Heritage Festival on Saturday beginning at 9:00 a.m. These restored vintage automobiles are attention getters wherever they go and have been a big hit at the Festival each year. Attendees to the Festival will be able to view these antique cars up close and talk to the owners about their Model A’s and their passion for keeping these Fords on the road. The Model A’s from the Tidewater area will make their 180 + mile trip to Halifax County cruising at the “breakneck” speed of 45 miles per hour.    

The local Virginia –Carolina Model A Ford Club, led by President Barry Thompson, is very pleased to again serve as the host club for the Model A Ford Weekend, and excited that the fellow clubs from out of town keep coming back each year to participate in the Model A Ford Weekend in conjunction with the Halifax County Heritage & Antique Machinery Festival. “This event is always an exciting and wonderful weekend of fellowship for the Model A’ers, and participate together in a premiere event for Halifax County, the Heritage Festival,” said Barry. “ The large participation each year by Model A’s at the Festival is testament to the hospitality shown to the out of town Model A clubs by the local Model A Ford club and members of the Heritage Festival Committee”, continued Barry. “Heritage Festival Committee members also recognize and appreciate the significance of having the out of towners, and the local club members, interested in the heritage of Halifax County and the contribution that Model A Fords make in celebrating its heritage,” said Barry. Bobby Conner, Chairman of the Heritage Festival Committee, is equally pleased to have the Model A Clubs continue their presence at the Heritage Festival and spend so much time in Halifax County. He said, “it is just remarkable that the Model A’ers like the Heritage Festival so much and have commented repeatedly to us that it is the hospitality afforded them by folks in Halifax County, and the love of all things heritage that keeps them coming back each year”.

See you at the Heritage Festival, and remember the “Ahooga” sound, and give a friendly wave to the Model A Ford drivers.

The 16^th Annual Halifax County Heritage and Antique Machinery Festival begins  Friday, May 3rd at 9:00 am concluding Saturday, May 4th at 9:00 pm.  Festival times are 9:00 am to 9:00 pm each day.  Admission is $7.00 per day for adults and children 12 years old or older.  Children under 12 will be admitted free of charge.  Special two-day tickets will be available for purchase on Friday for $10.00 each.  Anyone purchasing a two-day ticket Friday, May 3^rd will be admitted without charge Saturday, May 4th.     For more information and updated schedules as available, visit www.halifaxcountyheritagefestival.org.