It might be a 1966 Mustang convertible, or a 1941 Chevrolet pick-up, or maybe it will be a rebuilt hot-rod. One thing’s for certain, on September 10, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on the grassy grounds of Kidde-Fenwal at 400 Main Street in Ashland, is that you’ll see lots of love, care and detailing that went into a host of participating vehicles at Kidde-Fenwal’s Relay for Life Car Show, held to raise funds for the Relay for Life of Ashland and Holliston. 

“We knew nothing about running a car show when we started,” says Peter Kamitian, Relay for Life Team Captain for Kidde-Fenwal, a Carrier Corporation company. “The first year we had 60 cars, last year we had 240 cars, and we will probably break 300 this year. We have a huge lawn area, and these guys love having grass as opposed to parking on a paved parking lot.”

When it comes to raising money for the American Cancer Society, Kidde-Fenwal, which produces fire detection, suppression and temperature controls equipment for commercial, industrial applications for over eight decades, doesn’t play around. They’ve been the top fundraising team for the Ashland/Holliston Relay for the last 8 years. The Company Relay for Life Team has raised over $265K over the past 9 years.

“The reason why we raise so much money is the backing we get from the employees in the company,” says Kamitian, “Our Ashland facility has about 300 employees, and it’s just hats off to the people of the company who make this thing work,” he says.

The car show, says Kamitian, is one of the team’s biggest fundraisers. Participating vehicle owners pay $10 to enter the show. People who want to see the cars can get in free, and they can enjoy music by DJ, Bryan Rivas Depaz, as well as a 50/50 raffle, breakfast and lunch items cooked up by the Ashland Lions, as well as ice cream from an ice cream truck. 

“100% of the proceeds is going to go to the American Cancer Society,” says Kamitian, who personally got involved with the Relay about eight years ago, although Kidde-Fenwal has participated for about nine years. “Our DJ donates his time, the band donates their time, and the company pays for other expenses. You can bring your whole family to it.” Kamitian adds that the atmosphere is positive, because the folks who bring their vehicles to show “are the most down to earth people, so friendly.”

Over 75 Trophies / Awards will be given for some of the outstanding vehicles. 

“So many people have been impacted by cancer,” says Kamitian, who says employees and others seem eager to help raise funds for this cause. “We’re making a difference, and I’m absolutely amazed,” he adds. 

This year's car show is being dedicated to Elizabeth Demers, who passed away this year from cancer and was one of the founding members of the Relay for Life Team at Kidde-Fenwal. A special award will be given out at the show in her memory.

If you have any questions, you can contact Peter Kamitian at (774) 279-0497 or email 

[email protected].

The rain date for the Kidde-Fenwal Car show will be Saturday, September 17.