There is only one time of year when the sight of hundreds of vehicles along Route 1 is welcomed by the community at large.
That time will come this weekend, when the North Brunswick PBA Local 160 will hold the 20th annual Cops & Rodders Car Show.
The parking lot of DeVry University, 630 Route 1 North, will be filled with hundreds of antique cars, modern automobiles, motorcycles, trucks and vehicles from the North Brunswick Police Department, Fire Department and First Aid & Rescue Squad from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on April 26.
“This gets everybody together on a nice Sunday to enjoy classic cars,” said Police Officer Daniel Passafiume, vice president of Local 160. “We always appreciate people who come out with their cars to display,” he said. “We are grateful for them taking time out of their lives to share what they love with us.”
Although lovers of classic cars tend to come out in droves, children are also welcome, as there will be a police car bounce house and a cotton candy machine.
Vendors will sell refreshments and car accessories, and police officers will grill hot dogs and hamburgers for the crowd.
DJ Phil Forti will be on the mic.
However, the event’s significance goes beyond entertainment.
Retired North Brunswick Police Officer Michael Grasso Sr. began the Cops & Rodders event two decades ago. His son, current North Brunswick Patrolman Joseph Grasso, has taken over at the helm of one of the largest police car shows in New Jersey.
To commemorate the 20-year milestone, all of the T-shirts designed by Dot Designing of Monroe, as well as the plaques and trophies, will include a special “20th Anniversary” designation.
Proceeds from the car show benefit the PBA, specifically Local 160’s life insurance policy in the event an officer were to die, Passafiume said.
“We do this for the families, for the kids of the officers,” he said.
Proceeds will also be given to the charitable organizations to which the PBA donates.
“In light of what’s going on in the media with police brutality, this is something positive for the North Brunswick Police Department and the PBA,” Passafiume said. “Especially with our reputation right now, we want to show that police officers are good people and we do appreciate the community, especially the people of North Brunswick.”
The event is free for spectators, and is sponsored by Malouf Auto.
Anyone wishing to showcase a vehicle can register on the morning of the event from 9 to 11 a.m.; the cost is $20.
Rain date for the event is May 3.
For more information, visit www.nbtpba160.com.
Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected].