The 21st Annual Dr. George CHARITY CAR SHOW was held on February 10, 2024 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, CA. There were 1,100 pre-registered vehicles and many vendors in the Tennis Garden. At 9:00 a.m. the gates opened to allow spectator entrance and thousands of people were added to the Tennis Garden. After all the rain during the month of February, nice weather for the week-end seemed iffy, but on Saturday the sky was blue and the sun was shining.
As always, the Dr. George Show attracts some of the very best and most unique vehicles. The show kicked off with singing of the National Anthem and presentation of the colors by Marines from the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms.
After that the music started and was provided by the Flash Back Boyz. Bob Beck was on hand to serve as announcer and kept everyone posted about the day’s happenings, including the annual pedal car races. The cars were lined up for review prior to the racing.
But once the racers took to the track the racing was non-stop. The racers were very focused on the job at hand.
Once the pushers got the cars started it was up to the drivers to finish the job.
While they couldn’t all win, they all had fun.
All the racers took home a trophy, but the winner got the big one.
The pedal car races have become an annual event and a good fundraiser. Once the races are over the kids surrender their race cars which are then auctioned off.
Renowned pinstriper Von Hot Rod served as auctioneer.
Not all the pedal car action was on the track, however. Ale brought her own pedal cars – maybe she’s getting in shape for next year’s pedal car races.
While Ale liked her fire engine, she was partial to her lowrider. She no doubt got that preference from her uncle Alexis Avila who took home the Best of Show Lowrider trophy.
One very notable car at the show was the 1936 Ford Roadster owned and built by Danny Hale. Danny worked as a body and fender man throughout his career and he is very good at it. This remarkable car started as a coupe and was a roadster by the time Danny was done. To accomplish this transformation and keep the body proportions, Danny shortened the frame. This car was a contender for America’s Most Beautiful Roadster at the Grand National Roadster Show in 2023. Below is a photo of Danny with his Best of Show trophy. Well Done!
Two AA/FD Nostalgia Top Fuel Dragsters were on hand and fired up twice creating a crowd pleasing cackle fest.
Throughout the day, raffle tickets were being sold and there were silent auctions. All of the funds raised by the show and it’s many activities go to benefit the Desert Cancer Foundation. The show takes its name from Dr. Sebastian George, co-founder of the Desert Cancer Foundation. Dr. George was a local oncologist and was known for helping those battling cancer, even if they were unable to pay.
There was plenty of time to walk around the Tennis Garden and see all the cars and trucks on display – and there were some nice ones.
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There were also cars with a story. This 1956 Ford pick-up shown below belongs to Don Freymiller. Don’s son built this truck for him for his 80th birthday. What a gift and it took home a trophy. Don is very fortunate to have such a caring son and such an outstanding pickup.
Some cars, like Todd Frazier’s 1955 Chevrolet, 2-door post, is painted to remind him of his career in the Navy. The light gray is the color of the hull of the troop transport ship he served on, the dark gray is the color of the deck of the ship and the red stripe is the color of the Captain’s gig (a 30′ power launch for the Captain’s use). A great car and a trophy winner.
And one car served as a memorial to Nick Nigosian, a member of the Palm Springs Cruisin’ Association and a friend of the owner of this car.
And more of the nice vehicles at the show:
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Below are the trophy winners at the Dr. George Show 2024.
BEST OF SHOW – 1936 FORD ROADSTER
BEST OF SHOW LOWRIDER
BEST OF SHOW – SPECIAL INTEREST
The three cars shown above took home “Best of Show” trophies. But there were many more trophy winners. Below are photos of the award winners.
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This show was another great show put on by the Palm Springs Cruisin’ Association. Next year the show will be held on February 8, 2025. Put the date on the calendar and watch for the pre-registration announcement. This show is so popular entrance is by pre-registration only.
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FRIDAY, FEB. 9, 2024
The 21st Annual Dr. George Charity Car Show sponsored by the Palm Springs Cruisin’ Association takes place on Saturday, February 10, 2024 in the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, CA. The Tennis Garden has room to show 1100 cars and the Dr. George Show fills the Tennis Garden every year. This show is so popular attendance is sold out by pre-registration only.
Today (Friday) provided a hint of what tomorrow will hold. On Friday attendees can obtain reserved parking by going to the Tennis Garden, obtaining a stake with a name tag on it from the registration desk, and pounding the stake into an available parking spot. This system makes parking on Saturday morning easy. It also provides a chance to see some of the cars that will be in the show on Saturday. Below are a few of these cars.
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Tomorrow will bring, not only a lot more cars, but also vendors, cackle cars, the pedal car race and auction, raffles and of course the trophy ceremony. Check back – we will have more photos posted tomorrow and will we’ll have all the action posted Sunday night.
