John Baird may not live in a van down by the river, but his sense of humor painted on the side of his 1976 Dodge Tradesman won him the Best in Show at the Bow Rotary Car Show.
Saturday Night Live fans will remember the phrase “I live in a van down by the river” shouted in a skit by Chris Farley, who was playing the character Chris Foley. Baird had the phrase plastered across the side of his orange van, along with a picture of Farley, the name Jack Squat, and a block of cheese.
The van was a hit at the car show, along with a 1967 motor home owned by Allan and Judy Jones that won the People’s Choice award.
Hundreds of people made the trip to the 15th annual show at 508 South Street in Bow to see these rolling classics, from hot rods and 1930s classics to displays of American muscle in the form of Corvettes, Camaros and Mustangs.
Wheels were waxed and paint jobs were pristine as they shone under the sun, all competing for best in show.
The winner of the 1950s category was Rick Philibert’s 1955 Chevy Del Ray. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
The winner of the 2000s and later category was Tony DeRouin’s 2017 Chevy Corvette. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
The winner of the 1940s category was Raymond Poulin’s 1949 Mercury Custom. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
The winner of the 1930s category was Chris Rapp’s 1939 Cadillac Series 61. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
The winner of the 1960s division was Ray Weatherbee’s 1968 Pontiac Firebird. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
The winner of the 1980s division was Kenneth Graham’s 1987 Buick Grand National. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
The winner of the “Mopar” category was Katherine Cramer’s 1969 Plymouth Roadster. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
The winner of the Hot Rod category was David Frost’s 1939 Ford Window Coupe. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
The winner in the Mustang division was Dave and Dolly Dion’s 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
The winner of the British division was Steven and Bill Rule’s 1958 Bear Taxi. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
The winner of the Import class was William Dyroff’s 1972 Datsun 240Z. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
The king of the Camaros was Darren Nielsen’s 1970 Chevy Camero. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
The winner of the Muscle Car class was Andy Emmons’ 1955 Chevy Belair. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
The winner in the truck class was Wooly Wuellenweber’s 1955 Ford F100. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
The winner of the 1990s class was Penelope Boston’s 1991 Mitsubishi 300 GT. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
The winner of the “People’s Choice” award was Allan and Judy Jones’s 1967 Ultra Van motor home. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
The champion of the Corvettes was Bob Demers 1961 convertible. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
The winner of Best in Show was John Baird’s 1976 Dodge Tradesman van. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson 
Ian Bowker rode his 1967 BMW R27 to the win for motorcycles. Credit: Courtesy Eric Anderson
