Local Centennial neighborhood car show celebrates 20 years, rolls out 150-plus autos
Shari Haskins boards a Ford 1929 Model A Roadster Convertible while Patty Frederick drives the classic automobile during the 20th annual Chenango Car Show on Sunday, Aug. 10 in Centennial, Colorado.
Over 150 rare automobiles rolled onto a grassy field in a Centennial neighborhood Sunday.
The annual event within Centennial’s Chenango neighborhood never gets old for Frank Meograssi, who, on Sunday, celebrated his 20th year organizing one of metro Denver’s growing neighborhood car shows.
In 2005, the neighborhood’s annual car show “really started as a community,” Meograssi said, as he watched others showcase their shared passion for cars on Sunday.
Chenango Car Show organizer Frank Meograssi sits in his 1955 Ford Thunderbird during the 20th annual Chenango neighborhood car show on Sunday, Aug. 10 in Centennial, Colorado.
Unlike many other local car shows, Chenango’s event offers free showcasing opportunities to metro Denver-area car enthusiasts.
The Chenango neighborhood, located off Parker Road just east of Centennial Airport, hosts the show each year in its public park. The event also features a live DJ, food and activities.
Meograssi said the show normally showcases between 150 and 200 classic, exotic or muscle automobiles.
A longtime car enthusiast, Meograssi showed off his yellow 1955 Ford Thunderbird.
Chenango Car Show organizer Frank Meograssi celebrates his 20th year hosting the neighborhood car show with his 1955 Ford Thunderbird on Sunday, Aug. 10 in Centennial, Colorado.
Exactly 20 years ago, the Chenango Car show started “very small,” according to Meograssi.
Since then, the show has grown to showcase roughly 200 cars a year.
“I knew we had the area to do anything we wanted to,” Meograssi said, “maybe put 700 or 800 cars in there.”
Old-school cars lined up at the 20th annual Chenango Car Show on Sunday, Aug. 10 in Centennial, Colorado.
The Chenango Car Show organizer added he prefers to showcase cars on open field grass, due to less heat compared to hosting on pavement.
Al Kernes, who traveled from Denver for the car show, polished his bright white 1960s Porsche while people walked by Sunday.
“People don’t see these too often, particularly the old Porsches,” he said of showcasing his vehicle at the Chenango Car Show.
“Here,” he said, “people get to see something they may never see again.”
Al Kernes polishes off his white 1960 Porsche during the 20th annual Chenango Car Show on Sunday, Aug. 10 in Centennial, Colorado.
Kernes, who said he plans to hand off the Porsche to family, added his favorite part of the show is to “watch kids come through and get interested in the hobby.”
For Aurora resident John Fraioli, cars are a lifestyle.
Fraioli’s 1977 MG MGB convertible, named “Lucy” after the classic TV show “I Love Lucy,” is one of three exotic cars he owns.
John Fraioli and his 1977 MG MGB car named “Lucy” during the 20th annual Chenango Car Show on Sunday, Aug. 10 in Centennial, Colorado.
In fact, Fraioli said his hobby is driving Lucy, which has achieved over 200,000 miles, across the country to different car shows.
The moral of car shows, Fraioli said, “is not just about the cars. In reality, it’s actually the people.”
“We all have a common enthusiasm,” he said. “This is my hobby. I love to drive.”
Automobile enthusiasts gather at Chenango Park for the 20th annual Chenango Car Show on Sunday, Aug. 10 in Centennial, Colorado.




