Memorial car meet for former automotive teacher planned for market

A car meet to memorialize Chris Paxton is planned for the August Main Street Market next week, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau is looking for more sign-ups. 

Paxton was the high school auto collision and welding teacher for 11 years before he died in 2024. He made a large impact on students and cared deeply about helping others after having a rebellious youth himself, as shared in this obituary. 

Registration for the meet will go toward the Paxton Memorial Scholarship Fund. Stacie Blubaugh with the Convention and Visitors Bureau said she had the idea for a car meet, and then realized it would be a way to bring in funding for the scholarship program. 

There will be space for about 15 cars, and registration will be $15 per car. Cars will meet in the Cornerstone Church parking lot. The meet will start at 5:30 and go until 8 p.m Aug. 14. 

Questions on how to get involved can be emailed to [email protected].