Coachella Valley’s Longest Running Car Show, 17th Annual Dr. George Car Show, now one of California’s largest

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17th Annual Dr. George Car Show

by Noe Gutierrez/CoachellaValley.com

February 9, 2019

Dr. George Car Show February 9th

Presented by the Palm Springs Cruisin’ Association, the Dr. George Car Show is in its 17th year and has grown to be the largest one day car show in California. With 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Desert Cancer Foundation, it included 1,000 vehicle entries and is held on the lush grounds of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

In 2018, The Palm Springs Cruisin’ Association donated  $77,000 to the non-profit Desert Cancer Foundation 

In addition to its size it is also the longest running car show in the Coachella Valley.

The car show is held in honor of the late Dr. Sebastian George, who was a highly regarded oncologist and co-founder of the non-profit Desert Cancer Foundation. For over twenty years, the Desert Cancer Foundation has provided financial support to patients and their families without insurance. Each dollar donated has equals to approximately $7 worth of services.

CoachellaValley.com was able to speak with Joyce Fought, who was an integral part of the team that began the event 17 years ago.

Fought shared, “Two club members were patients of Dr. George. They credited him with saving their lives. When Dr. George passed they knew they wanted to do something. Yvonne McKenzie, a Dr. George patient, asked the car club to start the show and we did not hesitate. Overall we have raised over $543,000. That equals to almost $4 million in services!”.

Joyce & Ron Fought

Fought also shared her sentiment with her own personal challenges. “My husband Ron has lung cancer and is doing really well. He was diagnosed in 2011. He was a firefighter for 30 years and has insurance. I can’t imagine how difficult it is for someone without insurance”. Mr. Fought was on hand to show his support. He devotedly expressed, “To be here is the least I can do”.

The Palm Springs Cruisin’ Association is a non-profit organization that includes over 400 members. For this event, 150 volunteers participate in facilitating the car show which includes numerous vendors, a raffle and silent auction. The event is always free and the cost of parking was $5. At the point of entry club members ask for donations from spectators.

The car show is open to all collector vehicles. In the first year there were 375 entries. Only a few years later the association had to create a cut-off at 1,000 entries after growing exponentially.

Dr. George Car Show

The PSCA assembles a static “cruise in” the first Saturday of every month from October through May at the Westfield Shopping Center parking lot in Palm Desert.