Car show at El Tapatio draws over 100 classics, benefits food bank

Updated 3:31 p.m., June 14th–
By Mike Hazlip— A “Louie Luau” Car Show and food drive in Citrus Heights on Saturday drew over 100 classic and custom vehicles to the parking lot of El Tapatio restaurant on Sunrise Boulevard.

Saturday’s event began at 10 a.m. and featured raffle prizes, vendor booths, and Luau Dancers. It was the fifth annual event.

Organizer Daniel Gromer and his wife, Mary, began holding food drives about 20 years ago. Since then, the couple has hosted a yearly Christmas food drive at their home in Antelope, and several car shows throughout the area during the summer months.

Gromer now uses a scooter to get around, but still helps his wife by keeping an eye on the registration table. The Sentinel talked with him from his chair behind the table while Mary was busy keeping on top of the day’s events.

“What we do is we put on the shows; we try to find a location that is good for everybody,” Gromer said describing his search for a location with some shade. “Our car show is more like a family than anything else.”

Vehicle owners register with the Gromer’s and bring a food donation to the event, although organizers are flexible and car owners are not obligated to bring a donation.

“Some car owners are a little bit more strapped,” he said. “But they’ll still make a sacrifice.”

The Gromer’s have worked with small food banks and have also held car shows to help organizations like Toys for Tots and other community organizations in an effort to help those in need.

“We can’t get you into a mansion, but we can certainly do something nice for you to make your life a little easier, try to do something that would make you feel a little better,” Gromer said as his voice began to crack. “I break up in tears because it means a lot to me for those people that actually want to accomplish and make a change in their life.”

The vehicle owners are what makes the event successful, according to Mary Gromer: “We may not be able to donate in money, but we can donate with the help of the car owners. We’re an extension of their hearts to be able to reach people that need some help.”

Despite the number of vehicles at Saturday’s event, Daniel Gromer said the food donations were smaller than usual. He said donations would be given to an area food bank.

One vehicle owner who brought a food donation was Jack Werner, owner of a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle that was converted to a wood-paneled cruiser with a vintage Ford front grill.

“I like going to car shows and seeing people,” he said sitting under a grass umbrella and bamboo table he brings to events.

Doug Kilner, of the Sacramento Area Mustang Club, brought his 1971 Mustang Fastback as well as a few pony cars to the event. Kilner said he’s looking forward to more car shows this year after events were shut down last summer due to COVID-19.

“We’re looking forward to things opening back up and getting back to some normalcy,” he said.

The Gromers say the next event will be a “Summer Kick Off” car show at Sunrise Mall on June 19. A flyer for the event shows it will coincide with the Sunrise Mall Farmers Market and planned activities include a kids corner, raffle, and beer and wine tasting.

A second car show is planned at El Tapatio for a “Freedom Isn’t Free” event on Saturday, during the Fourth of July weekend. The fundraiser will benefit “Shoebox for a Soldier,” and vehicle owners are encouraged to bring a donation to support the organization.

Additional information about upcoming car shows can be found through the Kars for Kids Car Show page on Facebook.