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TROY’S PREMIER CAR SHOW ADDS EXCITING NEW ACTIVITY—THE KIDS PEDAL POWER 200 RACE ON AUGUST 6th AT THE COLUMBIA CENTER!

TROY, MI – Pedal cars will have a place among the antiques, classic cars, and performance vehicles at the 15th Annual Troy Traffic Jam on Sunday, August 6th. Among the other car show activities, flags will wave, and fans will cheer as 3–8-year-olds race their pedal cars around the Columbia Center’s track at 1pm in their chance to win a trophy and bragging rights in the inaugural Kids Pedal Power 200 race.

Families will begin rolling their pedal cars into the specially marked Pedal Car Pit at 9am, giving them a chance to enjoy the car show before the big race. Visitors will be able to vote for their favorite pedal car, be it a beautifully restored classic pedal car, a nostalgic new one, or something a little more modern with an exciting paint job. Around noon the racetrack around the Columbia Center’s flagpoles will be cleared and cars will be placed in position. A Le Mans-style start will add to the excitement of the race as kids line up, and then run to their pedal car as a horn sounds the start. Dividing the field into three age groups (3-4 years old, 5-6 years old, and 7-8 years old) will give more kids the chance to participate and more races for the fans to cheer on! All registered participants receive a Kid’s Pedal Power 200 T-shirt and an ice cream voucher, while those attending the Troy Traffic Jam have another great activity to enjoy.

Race organizer and Troy Traffic Jam planning team member Mark Lieberman has not only spearheaded the Kids Pedal Power 200, but his business, Nostalgic Motoring Ltd., has committed to a 3-year sponsorship of the event. “I wanted to add an element to the Troy Traffic Jam that brought together families for a fun, nostalgic project,” says Lieberman. “This is the perfect opportunity for a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle to get kids out of the house and into the garage to build, tinker on, or give an old car a new coat of paint and create memories.” 

Pedal cars have been around nearly as long as the automobile itself! As early as 1890, these miniature, pedal-powered versions of the automobile were produced and sold as part of the new car culture. Pedal cars along with toy cars and trucks were a way for manufacturers to get all ages involved in the new technology. Many consider the 1920s and 30s the “golden age” of pedal cars, but there was a resurgence in the 1950s with post-WWII American prosperity. Today pedal cars are appealing as a low-tech nostalgic activity. 

While antique and particularly collectable pedal cars can fetch thousands of dollars at auction, they can also be found in local resale shops, garage sales, and online for a reasonable rate. Build kits are also available to purchase if families are looking to get hands-on from beginning to end. Carl Kriewall of C & N Reproductions, Inc. and www.PedalCar.com has been a retailer of pedal cars and pedal car parts in Rochester Hills for more than 20 years. Carl fell in love with pedal cars when he found a pedal airplane at a toy show. Wanting to restore it, he had a hard time finding parts and started his business to fill that need. Anyone in need of a pedal car resource should make C & N Reproductions their first stop!

The Kids Pedal Power 200 is just one of the many things you’ll enjoy at the 15th Annual Troy Traffic Jam! Starting at 10am, fill your day with 250 antique, classic, muscle cars, and high-performance vehicles, music, and great food, snacks, and ice cream from local vendors. Participate in the 50/50 raffle, silent auction, or one of the many door prize drawings offered by Traffic Jam Sponsors. Drive robots built by Troy’s award winning First robotics teams and listen to presentations about the latest automotive innovations. Kids will have so much to see and do—face paint by Sparkles the Clown, hands-on activities at the Troy Historic Village Tent, and photo ops with Troy fire trucks, police vehicles, and an Indy 500 car! All proceeds of the Troy Traffic Jam and Kids Pedal Power 200 FUEL EDUCATION at the Troy Historic Village where more than 25,000 students and visitors get hands-on with history each year.

More information about the Kid’s Pedal Power 200 including registration can be found at www.TroyTrafficJam.com. Pedal cars can be used in multiple races, but please be sure to register each racer individually. Registration is $15 per racer. A limited number of pedal cars may be available on a first-come, first-served basis for aspiring racers who do not have a vehicle. Please contact Sharon Snyder ssnyder@thvmail.org to get your name on the list.

ABOUT TROY HISTORIC VILLAGE

Troy Historic Village is located at 60 West Wattles Rd., Troy MI. Operated by the Troy Historical Society, the Village showcases eleven historic structures in a charming five-acre complex. Visitors of all ages can explore Michigan history by witnessing and sharing the lifestyles of the pioneers who established homes and farms in rural Troy Township during the 1800s. Troy Historic Village serves the counties of Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb, providing a memorable and interactive experience for all visitors. Offering a wide variety of activities for children and a diverse range of lectures and events for adults, the Village aims to enhance appreciation of history while using Troy's rich and evolving story as a backdrop. Their goal is to conserve both local and state history, connect the community with heritage and continue outstanding educational programs. Troy Historic Village is operated by the Troy Historical Society.  For information, please visit www.troyhistoricvillage.org

Media Contact:

Sharon Snyder

Community Development Director

ssnyder@thvmail.org

248-524-3571