By: Brandy Abraham, Vanguard Campus Editor

Saturday, hot rods and art came together.

The Magic Bean Cafe in Saginaw Township hosted a hot rod and art show for the first time. It brought in dozens of car enthusiasts, artists, and Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) supporters and raised money to help kids go to summer camp through MDA.

Five artists entered in the contest. They had to produce a piece of art about hot rods or the car industry in a time limit of three hours.

The artists worked under the tent while the car show surrounded them in the parking lot for inspiration.

Dennis Martin Jr. of Davison was inspired by a Cheasis owned by Jeffrey Drake, a participant in the car show. Martin ended up winning the competition for his piece.

Meanwhile, 30 cars lined up and opened their hoods for spectators and participants to vote on the most original and most modified of the hot rods.

“It’s a small intimate car show,” Dennis McCullen said.

McCullen was not a participant, but has participated in car shows throughout the state.

Don Jezowski of Saginaw won the participants award for most original vehicle with his 360 Camaro.

Most of the hot rod owners were invited because of the restorations and modifications they did to their classics cars.

“Though it’s a ‘57, it drives like a 2001 Corvette,” Drake said about his Cheasis. “There are not that many around.”

All of the money raised at the event from entry fees, food and T-shirt sales goes to MDA.

“All the money stays local,” said Christy Bishop, director of the north central Michigan MDA branch.

“Our office services 39 counties,” continued Bishop. “And, with the donations, it will help send people to clinics and repair medical equipment.”

General Motors Co. executives were the judges for the hot rod show. Lisa Rechsteiner, an associate for The Magic Bean Café and Magic Auto Loans of Bay City organized the event.

“We have done other fundraisers, but this is our first time doing a car show,” she said, “I think it will be successful.”

Rechsteiner, who has been with Graff Chevrolet of Bay City for 24 years, thought this would be a great way to help out the local community.

This fundraising event also included a raffle and a smaller motorcycle show which a 13-year-old participant won for a mini-bike restoration.

“We are thankful to the Magic Bean for helping us raise money this week,” Bishop said.