Vincent Penna, Jr. Memorial Car Show Draws Hundreds
More than 320 of the finest automobiles around were proudly displayed in Norwalk to the admiration of several hundred visitors. Examples of automotive excellence spanning the last 90 or more years appeared in row after row, with perfectly restored antiques, classic American Muscle Cars, hot rods, trucks and a few extremely rare automobiles which are seldom seen outside at shows such as this. Row 2 above, left shows Westport Police Sgt. Sharon Russo and Lt. Sereneti Dobson with Vincent Penna, Sr. at the raffle of the 90 prizes donated by the generous sponsors.
At row 2, right, event main organizer Detective Sergeant John Taranto of the Norwalk PD gives out one of the trophies awarded to one of the winning car owners.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The crowd gathered near the end of the show when the nearly 100 raffle prizes were awarded to the lucky winners. Area businesses, stores and restaurants generously donated prizes to help raise funds for the scholarship program.
This is the 6th year of the show, which began as a fundraiser for student scholarships, then was renamed to honor Vincent Penna, Jr. who sadly passed away unexpectedly in December of 2020 at the age of 51, leaving behind his wife and teenage sons, in addition to countless family members, friends, colleagues, and fellow officers who admired his passion for his family and community. Vinnie Penna, Jr. was an officer with Westport for 26 years, becoming the Deputy Chief of the Department before his retirement in 2017.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Live music was performed by Clue and the Honkytones, adding to high energy of the event.
Special thanks is given to the Italian American Police Society, the driving force behind the event, comprised of officers from multiple police departments in southwestern CT.
The goal of the event could not be achieved without the very generous sponsors, including headline sponsors Garavel Subaru, Snap On Tools, A.J. Penna Construction, Z2 Motorsports, Black Bridge Motors and the more than 150 local businesses from Westport and Norwalk who supported with either donations or raffle prizes.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Westport Police Officers Sergeant Sharon Russo and Lt. Sereneti Dobson (above and above, left and right photos) were two of energetic volunteers as they called out the lucky raffle winners. Vinnie Penna, Sr. drew one of the raffle winning tickets (2nd from left) and next, one of the winners excitedly came to collect her prize. A small army of volunteers spent a great deal of time helping to pull together all of the aspects of the event. The organizers wish to offer special thanks to Fred Forger, Joseph Buffone, and Rick Tanella from Ricks Main roofing who put in countless hours to organize the sponsors for the program booklet. Also Detective Danny Fitzmaurice, Norwalk PD. and Robin Penna, Vincent’s step mom, wife of Vinnie senior, DC Penna’s dad.
Above, Lt. Dobson and Sgt. Russo standing with Sammy Arturo of Stamford, winner of a 55” television set and with grand prize winner Bob Persichilli of Trumbull won a one week vacation in Aruba.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
One of the many rows of the more than 320 exceptional cars on display at the event gets a look from several spectators.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Near the conclusion of the event, after the 50/50 and the raffle prizes were awarded, distinctive trophies were given to the best cars in the show.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.