When classic cars and trucks from this region gather for Landrum’s Dark Corner Classic Car Show on Saturday, April 29, the ground will shake, and fire-belching machines will roar and roll along a short section of Trade Street.

Last year’s first Dark Corner Classic drew 168 cars and trucks.

“This year,” said Danny Jones, a show organizer and owner of two classics including a dyno-tested and 486-horsepower 1987 Ford Mustang, “we’re hoping for at least 200.”

The show, which will run from the 10 a.m. registration through the 3 p.m. completion, will take place along Trade Street, between the Hare & Hound and the Landrum Depot.

Trophies, designed by Christie Gregory, will be awarded for the top 50 modern vehicles, top 50 classics, best motor, best interior, best paint and Best of Show.

Show organizers include Jones, Linda Fitzgerald Howard, Christie Gregory (who designed and made the metal trophies), Patty Otto (owner of the Hare & Hound), and Patricia Taber.

Last year’s entrees came from as far as Greenville, Spartanburg and Asheville.

“You’d be surprised at what’s around here,” Jones emphasized, about the area’s classic cars.

“It was the biggest event in Landrum last year,” Linda Fitzgerald Howard noted of the 1,000 attendees. “We expect it to be bigger this year.”

The Landrum Area Business Association (LABA) handled the show last year. The show’s object: To bring more business to Landrum. Did it work?

“The (town’s) restaurants had a record-breaking day that day,” Jones emphasized.

Top two sponsors this year, both local, are Tiffany Freel’s State Farm Insurance office and the Red Horse Inn. Other local sponsors include the City of Landrum, Hare & Hound, Carolina Antiques and More, Southern Delights, Pea Ridge Vintiques, Soulisa’s Fine Thai Dining, Tracy McCall Electrical, Imagination Station II, Data Access Systems, Foothills Amish Furniture, Landrum Veterinary Hospital, NAPA Auto Parts, Walker, Wallace and Emerson Realty, Damsel in Defense, Landrum Quilters, Big Iron BBQ, Hyder Farms, Landrum Antiques and Furniture, Leroy Mabry’s Used Cars, First Citizens Bank and the Landrum News-Leader.

This year’s show will feature music, food, door prizes donated by local businesses, and a 50/50 drawing. Entrants will receive special show T-shirts made by Clayton’s in Landrum.

Proceeds benefit the Back Pack Ministry and the Landrum Youth Sports Association.

“We try to keep our money in town,” Jones remarked.

Jones was bitten long ago by the hot rod bug.

“When I was a small boy in the 1950s and 60s, my brother raced go-carts. I caught the fever for speed and loud cars.”

Reflecting on his handsome and prized rebuilt-from-the-ground-up 1987 Mustang, “I bought this ’87 in 1993. My daughter drove it to school. I finally got it back. Jones’ intention was to build a hot rod, and race it, “but it looked too good,” he said. It has become a show car with plenty of muscle and roar, and yes, it’s loud and mean-sounding.

Information on the event may be found on Facebook, under Dark Corner Classic. For those wanting more information on registering a car or truck ($15 fee ahead of time or each entry, or $20 on Saturday) may contact Christie Gregory at 864-444-0903, or christiegregory38@yahoo.com.