The Old Village Car Party
Benefitting East Cooper Meals on Wheels
On Saturday, June 13th, the Old Village started its engines for the second annual Old Village Car Party! What began as a shared passion for classic automobiles has quickly grown into a highly anticipated neighborhood tradition. With a standout lineup of vehicles and a shared goal of bringing the community together, this year’s event proved to be bigger, better, and driven by a fantastic local cause to raise donations for East Cooper Meals on Wheels. We sat down with Tip Simons who shared more about the event and how we got here:
What inspired you and the other hosts to organize this car show in Old Village, and why was this the right time to bring it to life?
Jimmy and I (Tip) had been talking about it for some time, and last October we did a smaller gathering to see if people would come. There was plenty of interest, and more importantly it was really fun, so we decided to do it bigger and for charity this go around.
Jimmy and I (Tip) had been talking about it for some time, and last October we did a smaller gathering to see if people would come. There was plenty of interest, and more importantly it was really fun, so we decided to do it bigger and for charity this go around.
Tip, your family property has such deep roots in the community. What does it mean to you to host this event on land passed down from your father?
I am extremely fortunate to get to live in such a beautiful place, and I have always felt that it should be widely enjoyed, and leveraged for a good cause.
For those who haven’t attended before, how would you describe the overall experience and atmosphere of the OV car party?
Similar to other car gatherings, we gravitate to our favorites, or something more unique. The stories behind the cars: It was my fathers - It was my dream car from high school - I restored it 5 years ago - It has 425 horsepower, etc., are so much fun to hear and share. And in this case we are not in a parking lot. We are enjoying the beautiful views of Charleston Harbor on a historical landmark.
This event supports Meals on Wheels East Cooper. Can you share more about their mission and why this cause is important to you?
East Cooper Meals on Wheels was so good to my Dad in his last days at home. Their volunteers don't just deliver food, they engage people, check on them, and add some kindness and enjoyment to their day. It was comforting for me to know they were looking after him, and giving him something to look forward to.
Who are the hosts behind the event, and how did this group come together to make it happen?
Behind every great event is a dedicated team. Let’s meet the local hosts who steered this year's Old Village Car Party to success:
- Tip Simons | Simons & Taylor A lifelong car enthusiast, Tip generously offered his Old Village property to serve as the home base for the car party & fundraiser. Now in its second year, his vision of creating a space to celebrate classic cars and community connection continues to thrive.
- Jimmy Banyas | Snapline Local entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Snapline, Jimmy brought both his passion for classic cars and his extensive network of fellow enthusiasts to the table. His expertise was instrumental in curating the event's impressive, standout lineup of vehicles.
- Don Fickling | Old Blue Truck Pickleball Don brought a shared love of cars, a can-do spirit, and just the right amount of comedic relief to keep the planning team moving forward with a smile. When he isn't keeping the crew entertained, you’ll find him at the pickleball courts coaching and building community.
- Jackie Kelly, REALTOR® | The Cassina Group With a professional background in recreation and a deep passion for community events, Jackie supported the planning and promotion. For Jackie, the car party was the perfect excuse to bring the Old Village together for a memorable day.
How can community members get involved, whether that’s entering a vehicle, volunteering, attending, or making a donation?
If you'd like to keep up with the latest updates or get your own classic car involved next year, stay connected by joining the Old Village Car Party group on Facebook, or visit OldVillageCarParty.com to learn more, register a vehicle for next year’s event, or make a direct donation to Meals on Wheels.
Are there any local businesses or sponsors who helped make this event possible that you’d like to recognize?
A Special Thanks to The Sponsors! An event of this scale wouldn't have been possible without the generous backing of our local business community. We would like to extend a huge thank you to our incredible sponsors for their support on June 13th:
- Paisano's Pizza Grill 1151 Queensborough Blvd, Mt. Pleasant
- All American Sports Bar 545 Belle Station Blvd, Mt. Pleasant
- Post House 101 Pitt Street, Mt. Pleasant
- Lowcountry Paint, Body & Restorations 4608 Rivers Ave N. Charleston
- Tavern & Table 100 Church St, Mt. Pleasant
- Shelby Price Photography shelbypricephotography@gmail.com
- Stroll Old Village Magazine michael.pruitt@n2co.com
Fueling Our Community: Meals on Wheels
The best part of the Old Village Car Party wasn't just what was parked on the lawn, it was the impact the event made in our community. 100% of the proceeds from this event benefited the East Cooper chapter of Meals on Wheels.
Thank you to everyone who scanned the donation codes throughout the event to support this vital local organization!