No Clunkers Here: Show off Your Prize-Worthy Vehicle for Kids

Not everyone wants to trade for a new car off the lot. The Rides for Life event celebrates all kinds of vehicles, from custom cars and motorcycles to beloved “beaters.” This year’s event has found a new home at the Rochester Public Market and will take place during the Greatest Community Garage Sales and Super Fleas at the Market from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6.

For the past five years, Julius Cheng, M.D., associate professor of Trauma, Burn, and Emergency Surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), has organized Rides for Life – an event that marries Cheng’s admiration for automobiles with his safety sensibility.

“There have been a lot of tragic crashes involving teen drivers in the news lately. We would like to remind people there’s something they can do about it. Raising awareness and supporting prevention programs is the first step toward decreasing crashes among teen drivers,” said Cheng.

Rides for Life directly benefits Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Rochester, based out of URMC’s Golisano Children’s Hospital. The program’s main goal is to reduce in the incidence and severity of injury among children and adolescents in the greater Rochester area. The event is part of a smart teen driving program, which is funded by the Allstate Foundation.

The show will be accompanied by music from Second Alarm Sound, a local disc jockey service, and anticipates demonstrations from the Rochester Police Motorcycle Unit and Rochester Fire Department. A donation of $5 is requested to show a vehicle and $1 is requested from all spectators. The event will take place rain or shine. For more information, visit www.ridesforlife.org.