Photos by Marie Mccolm An impromptu car show was held Saturday for long-time Monte Vista resident Leroy Maestas, who is battling stage-four cancer.

MONTE VISTA — Many people from the San Luis Valley attended an impromptu car show for long-time Monte Vista resident Leroy Maestas.

The car show was held at Stars and Strikes bowling alley in Monte Vista on Saturday, Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. Maestas has been battling stage-four cancer and was recently told that his battle will end soon.

With this news, people in the community pulled together a car show that he could see from his backyard. Dozens of people shook Maestas’s hand and gave him hugs, as he was pushed around in a wheelchair with a big smile on his face, looking from one classic car to the next. 

Maestas has always been a lover of classic cars, and many people drove and parked their classic cars at the event for Maestas. He is well known throughout the San Luis Valley as a musician, and a member of a local band, that played together for many years in the Valley.  

Local resident Monica Aragon said, “It's great to see so many people turn out to support him. He’s an amazing man, and he has a lot of people who love him and are praying for him, too.” 

Maestas thanked everyone for the prayers and for caring about him so much.

When asked what car his favorite was, Maestas said, “All of them. I am enjoying this very much. Thank you, everyone.”