Hello again, Dublin. If you are a local business, I hope you saw some positive results from the recent influx of visitors to town. I spoke with three retailers/ food establishments, and all reported an upswing in sales. Let’s keep that trend going!
This weekend we again have something to celebrate in Dublin. On Saturday, June 26, Grafton Street will be filled with a collection of military vehicles, parked near the Frontline Heroes Museum (National Health and Public Safety Museum). The folks at the Museum have partnered with the Arrowhead Chapter of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) to bring military history on wheels to our fair town. The Arrowhead chapter is located in Central Texas, but boasts members from five states, England and the Netherlands.
The exhibit will be on the east side of the Museum on Grafton Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food trucks will be available to make the day even more enjoyable.
Here is a long list of some of the equipment the MVPA members may be bringing to town: an M5 13-ton high speed tractor; a 1941 Dodge WC-27 Ambulance; a 1942 Dodge WC-54 Ambulance; a 1942 White M2A1 Halftrack; a 1945 Willys MB Jeep; a 1941 Dodge WC-3 Open cab ½-ton pickup; a 1943- 44 Studebaker M29 Weasel; a 1944 Willys Jeep; an M-37; a 1943 GMC CCKW-352 2 ½ ton Cargo Truck (6x6); a WC-58; a 1941 Dodge WC-12 Pickup; an M18 “Hellcat” Tank Destroyer; a SdKfz 251 German Halftrack; an M8 “Greyhound” Armored Car; a Kubelwagon; a M5A1 Stuart Light Tank; a LaFrance M1A1 Heavy Wrecker; a 1940 BSA WM20 Motorcycle; a 1942 Buick Roadmaster; a 1942 Ford GPA Amphibious Jeep; a 1942 Dodge WC-6 Command Car; a 1942 Harley-Davidson WLA Motorcycle; a 1943 Columbia Bicycle; a 1942 Dodge WC-52 Weapons Carrier; a 1951 Willys M38 Jeep; a 1986 M1026 HMMWV; a 1940 Chevrolet pickup; a 1956 Daimler Ferret Scout Car; a 1945 Cushman Airborne Scooter; a 1964 Dodge M37 Cargo Truck; a Kaiser Jeep M725 Ambulance; a M151 A2 Jeep; a 1970 AM General M35A2 Cargo Truck; a 1959 Daimler Ferret Armoured Car; and a 1942 Ford GPW Jeep. Tell me, which are you most looking forward to seeing?
Two different Texas National Guard units also will be bringing vehicles to delight our visitors. We should have a seriously exciting collection downtown.
Contact the Museum to see how you can volunteer to help the event run smoothly. And remember to welcome these visitors to Dublin in our hometown friendly manner. Let’s make them all want to visit again (and oh yes, spend their money here)!
In July, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce will host the third leg of the Tri-Angler Fishing Tournament series – the Tri-Angler Bass Tournament, on Sept. 17 at Sowell Creek Park at Lake Proctor. This tournament will be limited to 50 boats (two-person teams), so please contact the Chamber if you would like to preregister or sponsor the event.