The annual Leesburg Car Show is well-known and commemorated for its historical significance. It has been three decades since the very first Leesburg Car Show was conducted in the historic downtown area of Leesburg.

This show emerged from a local car club who financed and ran the event, and later became a tradition that continued up to this day. Students from the old school of C.S. Monroe Technology Center (Monroe Tech) began sponsoring the event some time before 2018 and finally adopted coordination of the event. With the effective aid provided by Monroe Tech, profits from the event served as a huge fundraiser for the school. When Monroe Tech closed in 2018 and joined to form a program of the Academies of Loudoun, the Academies as a whole continued the sponsorship of the car show, further upholding the historical family event. The Academies of Loudoun has always been proud to carry on the tradition of the Leesburg Car Show event.

The most recent of the local car shows is the 33rd Annual Leesburg Car Show, which took place at Tuscarora High School on October 2nd. The staging for the car show occurred on three downtown streets in Leesburg: King Street, Market Street, and Cornwall Street.

The Leesburg Car Show has always encouraged the display of more “classic” cars, which are more than 25 years old. Traditional cars, such as the Oldsmobile Cutlass, have continued to be exhibited in the show. The custom was maintained in the 33rd Annual Leesburg Car Show in that only classic cars were eligible for receiving speciality awards, demonstrating the dedication of the current coordinations to preserving the long-held tradition of showcasing classic cars.

Tom Shumaker, the executive vice president of Holder Construction Company, who worked on the construction of the building for the Academies of Loudoun, displayed an automobile at the 33rd Annual Leesburg Car Show. Shumaker has owned his automobile, a 1979 Caterham Seven, since early August 2021. He estimates that there were around 150-175 cars displayed at the event. 

“The show was organized extremely well,” Shumaker reflects on the event. “Having a car show in downtown Leesburg is an awesome setting. Seeing classic cars, hot rods, exotic cars, muscle cars, and theme cars just makes you realize that there still is a healthy car culture full of great enthusiasts. Being relatively new to the car show scene, I’ve been impressed with other car owners and how helpful they can be. If I have a question [on the automobiles displayed], I just ask. People are willing to share their experience and knowledge. In the end, car lovers just want to help each other out.

“The overall setting was fantastic. I think my favorite part was knowing that in addition to me having a little fun showing off my car, there were other benefits. The community came together on a beautiful day for some light socializing. The local businesses had a steady stream of customers, and the proceeds went to support [the] Academies of Loudoun.

“This particular show was special to me due to my unique connection to the Academies of Loudoun,” Shumaker remarks, referring to his company building the school. “My son, Sam Shumaker, is a senior there and will be the first class to attend all four years in the facility. In addition, this car show is put on by and benefits the Academies. I think that is all kind of cool!”

written by Medha Sunkara

photograph provided by Mr. Shumaker

edited by Saanvi Gutta and Tryphena Pilli