SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Swap Meet and Car Show is taking place this weekend after canceling due to coronavirus concerns.
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The event that brings in people from across the country runs Friday through Sunday at 3 p.m.
“In the Middle of the COVID crisis, it just wasn’t okay,” said Event Director Jim Wirth. “It’s a back-breaker for us when you’re a seasonal kind of business.”
When the event was canceled, the team immediately began working with the Clark County Department of Health to find out what they could do to host the event, Wirth said.
“The way we understand it, retail operations are okay but shows and exhibits are not,” Wirth said. “So, we had to cancel our [vintage car] show portion.”
With the vintage car show canceled, there would be no D.J., judging or trophies.
Tracy Saunders brought his class cars in from West Virginia.
“The virus slowed us down a little bit, but I think it will be a good weekend,” Saunders said.
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Springfield is considered a hot spot in Ohio with an increase spike in the number of coronavirus cases.
Wirth said his team is doing what they can do keep people safe including wearing masks, recommending shoppers wear masks, enforcing social distancing and frequent hand washing.
It was important Wirth held the event to help those who work in the car business, he said.
“Just surviving as a business and as a group of car folks, this is a breath of fresh air,” Wirth said. “We might just make it due to this show.”
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