The inaugural City of Selma Labor Day Festival had a strong turnout Monday on the block of Water Avenue and Franklin Street.

A combined 13 cars and trucks registered for the old-school car show with three different categories: original, old and new.

City Council President Corey Bowie and city councilwoman Angela Benjamin co-sponsored the first-time event.  Councilman Sam Randolph was part of the judging contest. Councilwoman Jannie Thomas also appeared to support her council mates.

Selma resident Arthur Vaughn, who pulled up in his white 1978 Chevrolet truck, was glad the event took place. The event was free to the public.

“Anytime you do something like this for the city, it’s always positive,” Vaughn said. “With so much going on right now, you need to have this. I liked seeing all of the cars. It’s a blessing to come out and see everyone enjoy themselves.”

Randolph welcomed the opportunity to assist his city council members.

“It’s a great opportunity for the city of Selma to come out and see old cars,” Randolph said. “It was a great day to come out for Labor Day.”

Thomas praised Benjamin and Bowie for their effort to celebrate the last holiday of the summer.

“Since we didn’t do anything for the Fourth of July, we needed to do something like this for the city,” Thomas said. “People needed something to bring their families out to. This is what we needed. Other cities do this all the time, why not Selma?”

William Brown, Vice President of the Classic Car Club in Selma, also enjoyed himself judging the competition.

“It was a success, especially in the first year,” Thomas said. “When you think positive, it will work out positive.”

The scheduled three-hour event ended with a rainstorm hitting the area around 7 p.m.

Bowie said he was pleased with the showing, especially for a first-time event.