Owners from Ohio and surrounding states rolled into town on Friday.

CANTON When asked how she became interested in Model T Fords, Shirley Alvarado begins her story nearly five years ago.

The Indiana resident said she was photographing Model T's at an event after her husband died. The hostess suggested she go for a ride and paired her with Al Mattull, who had recently lost his wife.

"We've been together ever since," Alvarado said.

The couple was one of many Model T owners from Ohio and surrounding states who rolled into Canton Friday. The early 20th century automobiles stopped at the Canton Classic Car Museum before visiting other area attractions for the All Ohio Model T Jamboree hosted by the Greater Akron Model T Ford Club.

Museum Director Char Lautzenheiser welcomed visitors before they toured "Ohio's greatest antique, memorabilia and nostalgia museum." She noted that it's the museum's 40th anniversary.

That's about how long Randy and Chris Fisher, of Napoleon, have owned their Model T. It was their third jamboree but first visit to the museum.

Randy Fisher said he finds driving the vehicle relaxing.

"Just the fact that it's a simple way of life," he said.

Jim Bowery, of West Virginia, and Kenneth Stewart, of Pennsylvania, also have driven Model T's for decades.

"A friend of mine got me involved in it," Bowery said after parking next to Stewart.

It was Stewart's first tour of the summer, but he said Model T clubs log a lot of miles, especially for vehicles not designed for long distances. Bowery traveled 1,800 miles this summer.

Stewart said he enjoys the Model T tours and their family-friendly atmosphere.

"You can get into this very reasonably," he said, adding that hobbyists should be "mechanically inclined."

Mattul said he traded a tractor for his first Model T.

"I just like old," he said.

"That's why he likes me," Alvarado joked.

"We like antiques of all kinds," she said, before taking Mattul's hand and walking toward the museum.

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