OCALA, FL (352today.com) – There were 131 vehicles at the Ocala Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers Car Show at Silver Springs State Park on Sunday, April 12, 2026. The event itself featured, vendors, food and entertainment.
“God gave us a beautiful day,” said Anne Parker, Ocala Chapter Blue Star Mothers president and past National Blue Star Mothers president. “We’ve sold homemade cookies. We’ve sold homemade bread. We’ve sold our crafts. We have I believe 29 silent auction items. To tell you we’re happy isn’t the right word. We’re just thrilled with the turnout, with the cars that came and the people that have come. Everybody has been very loving upon us. Our world’s in a crazy place right now, and the support for our kids is very heartwarming, whether they come by to buy a box of cookies or just come by to say thank you for your kids’ service. It means the world to us.”
Paul Moltisanti came out to support the veterans. He just got his 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside Pickup in January 2026, having purchased it in Missouri, and he enjoys going to car shows. He’s won several awards.
“I used to play a lot of golf,” said Moltisanti. “I injured myself and I can’t play golf anymore, so I had to find something to do.”
The Corvair has a ramp that comes down. It was a very utilitarian vehicle back in the 1960s, when it was used to move appliances, telephone companies moved spools of wire, and the truck was also used to move motorcycles and lawnmowers, said Moltisanti. The Chevrolet Corvair Rampside Pickup was only made between 1960 and 1964.
“This is a 1964 and only 861 were made that year,” said Moltisanti, who lives in Ocala. “They have a national registry and because not that many were made, this is in a national registry.”
Don Martin, Sr. and Don Martin, Jr. participated routinely in the National Parts Depot Car Shows at Silver Springs State Park, and the former welcomed the opportunity to participate in the Blue Star Mothers Car Show bringing three vehicles, his Cobra, 1950 Ford truck, a new acquisition, and a 1973 Truck. The Martins, who are Marion County residents, have been car collectors for decades.
“You meet a lot of nice people,” said Don Martin, Sr. “A lot of people come up and want to talk about the military, that have retired, which is nice.”
Randy and Debbie Harmer came out to the car show to benefit the Blue Star Mothers. The car show veteran has been bringing his Ford Mustangs to car shows for a while. He just got his 1995 Ford Mustang GT last August. His wife had been looking for the vehicle on the Internet and found the vehicle they would eventually purchase, going to Boca Raton to acquire their new Mustang.
“This is our second Ford Mustang, the same year,” said Randy Harmer. “The other one we had, we gave to one of our sons back in Washington state. We moved here during COVID. We couldn’t find a trailer to pull it on.”