OXFORD, Miss. – On Sept. 29, the rumble of engines will fill the Oxford community as vehicles of a variety of makes and models roll into town for the Rebel Rod Car Show, a University of Mississippi student-led event benefiting the Mississippi Special Olympics.
The show will feature vehicles from 25 car classes including antique cars, street rods and production cars, said Will Cook, a parks and recreation management graduate student who is planning the event as the capstone project for his master’s degree. Cook, a recreational therapist at North Mississippi Regional Center, chose to raise funds for the Mississippi Special Olympics because it is a program with which he works often.
“Along with my duties at NMRC came the Special Olympics,” Cook said. “It’s something I have been involved in, and I’ve always wanted to help them out in some way.”
The show will be in the South Lot parking area, also known as the MDOT Lot, on Old Taylor Road, and on-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. Pre-registration costs are $20 for the first car and $15 for any additional car entered. Event-day registration costs are $25 for the first car and $20 for any additional one entered. The show is free to the public.
Cook, a Batesville native, hopes the Rebel Rod Car Show will become an annual occurrence, planned by a Parks and Recreation Management graduate student each year. After the show is complete, he plans to conduct an economic impact study to evaluate how much the show benefitted the city.
“I think the show will be something that’s not only going to be good for future students to learn from, but I think it’s also going to be something that the city of Oxford will definitely appreciate,” Cook said.
The Rebel Rod Car Show will include a silent auction and 50/50 raffle as well as a City Cruise car parade, during which participating vehicles will make their rounds around town. Door prizes will be given away throughout the day.
“The car show is located on campus and will give many visitors a chance to visit our university and beautiful campus,” said Kim Beason, professor of park and recreation management. “They can experience our culture and history. The same will happen within Oxford. The cars driving about the community will generate interest and provide a positive leisure experience and certainly will bring smiles and flood back memories for many.”
Contestants showing cars will have an opportunity to win awards including Best in Show, People’s Choice, Mayor’s Pick and Special Olympian’s Pick.
For more information on the Rebel Rod Car Show, contact Will Cook at 662-934-0751 or wrcook1@gmail.com.