Vintage cars lined the grassy area next to the fire department, drawing in spectators from Route 45 throughout the evening. Toni Milbourne

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department welcomed a significant crowd on Friday evening, as they hosted their annual car show and bake auction for the first time in two years. The popular event had to be cancelled in 2020, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Approximately 120 cars and trucks lined the grassy lot beside the fire department, as friends and strangers enjoyed getting together to view the vehicles and share conversation.

The cars, all shined and polished for the show, drew spectators from Route 45, who came in to admire what to some are only a dream but to others, a worked-for reality.

Dale Curtis, of Martinsburg, proudly showed off his 1951 Chevrolet Bel Air, sharing that he did all of the exterior work on the car after purchasing it in 1996. His neighbor at the show, Patrick Dougherty of Harpers Ferry, said he did much of the work on his beautiful blue Ford F100, dating back to 1955.

Many other attendees had lovingly restored their vehicles and were excited to have an opportunity to head to Shepherdstown to show them off.

Densil Nibert, left, takes bids on one of dozens of baked items offered to hungry participants at the annual bake auction. Toni Milbourne

Event attendees saw a lot of action inside the building as well, as tables filled with silent auction items drew attendees to bid higher and higher, to win their desired bids. Items ranged from decor to coins and fire department memorabilia.

Many attendees enjoyed dinner together, before settling in for the bake auction, which brought dozens of pies, cakes and other tasty treats to the attention of bidders. Densil Nibert, founder of Nibert Realty & Auctions, volunteered his time to auction off the delicious fare, as other volunteers held up the items for the crowd to see.

Bids ranged from $20 to $500 depending on the treat, the baker and the bidder. Kenny Barron’s annual contribution of a hot milk sponge cake saw the first significant bidding war of the evening, as Nibert turned from one side of the room to the other between two bidders. When Nibert said “sold,” the cake brought in $500 for the department, purchased by Barron’s brother, Dennis.

A carrot cake, baked by Abigail Olivia Foltz, also saw the same type of bidding, also bringing in a final $500 from bidder D.L. Morgan. Additional items throughout the night, including dozens of homemade goodies contributed by faithful baker Jane See, netted the department over $5,600.

Barron, SVFD treasurer, was a constant bidder as usual throughout the evening. Winning several baked goods, Barron confirmed that once again he purchased the items to serve on Saturday at the department’s “super bingo” event.

Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department President Craig “Twiggy” Simpson presents the Chairman’s Award to Aaron Raines for his support of the department. Toni Milbourne

As part of the evening’s live auction offerings, Elite Concrete Design donated a custom concrete overlay package that would finish a 24“x24” garage. The package garnered $2,000 for the department coffers.

Aaron Raines, who offered the donation, was awarded the department’s Chairman’s Award and was presented a plaque by SVFD President Craig “Twiggy” Simpson, for all of the work Raines has done to support the department through the car show organization and his donations to the event.