In Greene County, cars are more than just a way to get from one place to another. They’re a source of pride, tradition, and community. From classic cruisers polished to perfection to modern muscle cars that roar down the backroads, the county’s car culture brings people together in a way few other pastimes can.
Whether it’s the 50s Fest that shuts down Waynesburg’s High Street, the Flashlight Drags at the Greene County Airport, or the various car shows, such as the one at the Ice Plant, locals love to bring people together with their fascinating automobiles. For many, it’s about preserving history, celebrating craftsmanship, and connecting with others who share the same passion for the open road.
One of the biggest parts of Greene County’s car culture is the upcoming 50s Fest. “What makes the event especially unique is how far people will travel just to be part of it. One young woman from England first stumbled upon the festival by accident—and for several years since, she has planned her U.S. vacations around making it back for the celebration.
Others drive hundreds of miles so their cars can line High Street during 50’s Fest. To honor that dedication, organizers even award a prize to the participant who has traveled the farthest with their vehicle.
50s Fest takes up so much room, the whole street gets shut down for the day of the festival. Although the festival is advertised as a car show, it’s much more than that. 50s Fest includes not only cars, but any kind of vehicle you can think of, ranging from motorcycles to vintage emergency vehicles.
To really set the mood, festival co-chair Doug Wilson is in the DJ booth playing various hits from the time, ranging from the Beach Boys to Elvis Presley.
If you’re looking for something a bit faster paced, no problem. Just take a trip down to the Greene County airport once a month during the summer and early fall to watch the Flashlight Drags.
This event hosts a plethora of speedy cars, all of which are vying to be the fastest on the track. The event starts out with what they call the “Parade Lap”, where one by one each car that’s competing that day goes down the airstrip at whatever speed they choose to model their car, but it’s all competition from there.
Throughout the course of the day, each driver will be matched against as many cars as they can to find out who is the fastest. Vehicles range from older trucks/muscle cars to newer electric cars.
When asked about how the event benefits the county, Dave “Buzz” Cognetti, one of the many people who makes the event run smoothly, had this to say. “The event not only brings the community together for a Sunday filled with excitement, but it also provides a boost to the local economy.
Hosted five times a year, it draws crowds that support local food vendors and helps small businesses thrive. For many, it’s a day to enjoy cars, food, and fellowship, but it also plays an important role in keeping community traditions alive and supporting the people who make Greene County special.”.
Not only is the Ice Plant a phenomenal restaurant located in Greensboro, it also plays host to yet another exciting car show that brings people from as far as Florida and everywhere in between. The restaurant initially started this car show to draw in more customers when they first opened the restaurant, according to owner Lisa Rumble-Miller.
“We had only 18 cars at the first one and now we sometimes exceed 200, which is great for our area. Participants are what makes our show so successful. They continually come back year after year to support us, and many of them have never missed one of our shows.”
As they continue the tradition, the Ice Plant is approaching their 30th anniversary of the show. Something unique about this show is that it has a different theme every year, with Rumble-Miller recalling one of her personal favorites, “My favorite was “Follow the Yellow Brick Road”, which featured decorations from the Wizard of Oz.”
In addition to the cars, there are horse and buggy rides, tethered balloon rides and, of course, the fireworks display. The various awards include: Top 50 Classic Cars, Top 10 Newer Model Cars, and a couple of memorial awards – the Jerry Dorsey Jr. Memorial award and the James L. Rumble Memorial award.
“Jerry was a local young man that passed away at only 16. James Rumble was my father, and he loved the car show and played a big role in helping prepare for them,” said Rumble-Miller.
The big awards include Best of Show Car and Best of Show Truck, both of which come with a monetary reward.
Car culture in Greene County isn’t just about engines and chrome—it’s about community. These events give people a reason to come together, celebrate their shared passion, and support local businesses along the way. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or just someone enjoying the atmosphere, car culture has become a meaningful part of life in Greene County, keeping tradition and connection alive.
