Hagerstown’s Main Street was transformed into “memory lane” this past July as thousands of Model T enthusiasts – and hundreds of the historic vehicles – chugged into town to mark the iconic Ford’s 100th birthday.

“There’s lot of buzz about this around town, and it’s going to be a great day – a one-of-a-kind event,” says Denny Burns, a local business owner who is leading a massive organizing effort for the party, scheduled for July 22. That midsummer Tuesday will be Hagerstown’s big day in a weeklong festival that is being billed as “the party of the century for the car of the century.”

From 9 that morning until early afternoon, as many as 500 Model Ts are expected to roll into Hagerstown, parking along Main Street and several other downtown thoroughfares. Visitors can expect to see any number of rare and unique variations – from the classic Tin Lizzie (first built in 1908) to ambulances, campers, delivery wagons and trucks manufactured around 1917, to a sporty roadster built in 1927 – the last year of production for the “T.”

In addition to ogling the historic autos owned by others, visiting Model T mavens can enjoy lunch at local restaurants, search for bargains in downtown shops and tour historic homes owned by the Teetor family. They can also golf at Hartley Hills Country Club or visit the Ruth Dutro Community Pool.

In the afternoon, the action shifts south of town to the Hagerstown Airport (view air field) where fair-type food and old-time jazz and oldies music will create the perfect setting for a summer evening of aerial acrobatics. Approximately 50 vintage aircraft – including World War I fighters, pre-1930 planes, and stunt biplanes – will take wing that afternoon and evening, flown by the pilots who helped make the 2006 movie Flyboys.

According to Burns, these modern-day air aces are thrilled by the prospect of using the Hagerstown Airport’s 4,000-foot grass-strip runway. “They told me that our airport is the longest, flattest, smoothest grass runway in the United States,” Burns said.

A shuttle service will be in operation between 8:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. to transport visitors between the airport and the downtown area.

Hagerstown’s July 22 celebration represents just one day in a six-day Model T Ford Centennial Party that begins July 21 and encompasses several Wayne County venues. The party is being sponsored nationally by the Ford Motor Co., and the Centerville-based Model T Ford Club of America (MTFCA) is serving as host at the main celebration site, the Wayne County Fairgrounds and Exposition Center in Richmond.

Highlights of the event include a judged Model T show, driving and challenge games, a swap meet, a series of Model T road tours along the Old National Road, a vintage baseball game, a visit to Centerville’s recently opened Model T Ford Museum, special displays of antique camping, a period clothing store, vintage fashion shows, hand-churned ice cream and a giant birthday cake.

More than 1,000 vintage Model Ts are expected to make the journey to Wayne County, some from as far away as Australia, Great Britain and Norway. These cars – just a fraction of the 15 million Model Ts that Ford built between 1908 and 1927 – will be the largest gathering of Tin Lizzies since they left the factory

More information about the Model T Ford Centennial Party – as well as a wealth of information about America’s favorite automobile – is available at a special party page on the MTFCA Web site.