The River Community Church hosts 20th annual car show in Lower Burrell

The River Community Church was blessed with warm weather and sunny skies for its 20th annual car show Sunday, its second since moving from New Kensington to Lower Burrell.

While Nicky Magnelli, ministry coordinator for the church, put the count of cars parked on the lots and lawns around the church at 275, there was a chance of reaching 300, which she said would be record-breaking.

An outdoor worship service was part of The River’s 20th annual car show in Lower Burrell on Sunday. (Brian C. Rittmeyer | TribLive)

Known as The River 15068, the church moved to 273 Chester Drive from New Kensington two years ago as part of a merger with the Church of God in Lower Burrell.

The car show originated with Pastor Dean Ward’s parents, who belong to a custom car club, Magnelli said.

“His mother insisted we have a car show,” she said, adding that Ward kept telling his mother no until finally giving in. “It has exploded every year.”

In addition to showcasing hundreds of vehicles, the church feeds about 1,000 people at the free event, with hamburgers and hot dogs on the grills and box lunches.

Robert Black, 92, who lives at Longwood at Oakmont in Plum, stands by his 1934 Ford 5-window coupe, named “Red Baron,” as he displays it at The River’s car show in Lower Burrell on Sunday. Black has owned the car since 1952. “I was born in 1934 and it’s a 1934 Ford. It was born a month before me,” Black said. (Brian C. Rittmeyer | TribLive)