By Paula Pyzik Scott / PHOTOS by Mark Andreasen

The 2026 Ada VFW Park in the Park car, truck and motorcycle show returned to War Memorial Park on July 11 for a celebration of vehicles and those who have served in the U.S. military. Organizer J.D. Fleece notes that unpredictable weather kept a few entries away. Even so, there were 99 entries displayed in the leafy lanes of The Grove.

The event is made possible by a large number of volunteers and supporters including judges Jerry Springer, Mike “Mr. Brick” Cooper, Dick Miller, Eric Flowers and Mark Obenour.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

BEST CAR
1966 GTO - Weston Burnworth
In memory of Wade Wright Burnworth

BEST  TRUCK
1975 F250 - Rick Hughes 

BEST IMPORT
Mercedes-Benz - Joey Carl

BEST BIKE
Rick Onions

MAYOR'S CHOICE
by Mayor Dave Retterer
1972 Mustang Mach 1 - Jim and Mary McKinney

COORDINATORS CHOICE
2010 Camaro Super Car - Abbie James

LARGEST CAR CLUB
Club Flag City Corvettes

LONGEST HAUL
​​​​​​​Mike Agin from Johns Island, South Carolina - 755 miles

TOP 25

SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Mary, Allen County Awards
Ken Woke, Park Manager
Butch Huffer, Grill
Blue Star Mothers
Kenny Nault, Mini Vietman Wall
Jerry Arlington, VFW Commander
Jay Conley, VFW Quartermaster
Aimee Rawls, Canteen Manager
J.D. Fleece, Event Coordinator

MAIN COMMITTEE
Lee Ann Hall, Leann Timmerman, Butch Huffer, Dave Sybert, Nancy Reichenbach, Don Wright, Seth Krofft, Sara Westerbook, Ric Johnson, Ron Risner, Allen Conley, Jody Dye, Anna Tremmer, Jim Pifer, Mike Burkholder

FOOD BUILDING SUPERVISORS
Dave Sybert, Ric Johnson

REGISTRATION SUPERVISORS
Leeann Hall, Leeann Timmerman, Sara Westbrook

RAFFLES & SALES
Donnie Wright

SHIRT & RAFFLE SALES
Nancy Reichenbach

BOY SCOUTS LEADER
Tom Lehman

D.J.
Greg Burden

VETERANS FREEDOM FLAG MEMORIAL BY BRITT
Matt Miller, Mini Tank Operator

Britt Munson, VFFM Coordinator

Allen Howard, Dog Tag Trailer

George Jefrries, Printed Dog Tags