By Staff
In celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Rod and Roll Classic Auto Show, which returns to Dowagiac Saturday, Aug. 20, this year's event showcases Bill Golden Maverick's Little Red Wagon Exhibition Wheel Stand and Pulling Truck that will be displayed downtown.
Auto owners wishing to pre-register for the classic auto show of the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce have until 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 19, to do so to receive the reduced rate of $8.
This popular family event on Saturday, Aug. 20, promises to again fill the central business district with 200 classic cars from the early to mid-1900s, as well as motorcycles and custom cycles.
Festival co-chairmen Curt Rohdy and George Wiersma said they are pleased to welcome Jim D's Body Shop as this year's Best of Show corporate sponsor.
Ed Kazlauskas, who owns Jim D's on M-51 North, is no stranger to the festival, having served as one of its original chairmen for more than 10 years.
Dowagiac's picturesque central business district is the perfect setting for the highly-collectible vehicles, which is probably why the show continues to grow in popularity among auto enthusiasts and spectators from across southwestern Michigan and northern Indiana, said Vickie Phillipson, Chamber of Commerce and DDA program director, who provides staff assistance to the event co-chairmen.
In addition to Jim D's Body Shop, corporate sponsors also include: Steinman's Shell, best antique; Flint's Auto Repair, best street rod; Barry's Automotive, best custom car; Sunray Restorations, best '50s/'60s classic; John and Curt's Brake and Alignment, best old truck; Beeson Street Bar and Grill, best new truck; Dominion Deals on Wheels, best Chevrolet; Dowagiac Auto Service, best GM muscle car; Heartland Chrysler, best mopar and Jeep; Creative Vinyl, best Ford; Mr. K's Wearhouse and Embroidery, best sports car; Laurie Anne's, best motorcycle; 3G's Body Shop, best '70s/'80s; and Butler's Tree Farm and Campground, best altered vehicle.
Rohdy and Wiersma said the first 125 auto owners who register for the show will receive a dash plaque courtesy of Dixon-Livingston Insurance Agency and Greg Osborn of State Farm Insurance.
Show participants will also receive 2005 collectible event coffee mugs, courtesy of Barry's Automotive, Cyclone Sand Blasting, Mahar Insurance and Wounded Minnow Saloon.
The Aug. 20 auto show opens at 7 a.m. with a Lions Club pancake breakfast on Beeson Street under the festival tent and continues into the afternoon with: a barbecue on Beeson Street hosted by Felpausch Food Center grilling New York strip steaks, bratwurst and hot dogs; the Tailgate Treasures flea market, in and around the Beckwith Park; the dance performance at 11:30 a.m. by Encore Dance Company; 1950s and '60s music presented by Bob Karnes at the Haggin-Wimberley Bandstand; in-store games and downtown scavenger hunt for auto show participants; and the annual Parade of Winners at 3 p.m.
Returning for its second year is the Guess of Death, hosted by Barry's Automotive, which is the deliberate destruction of a running engine.
Cash winners at 12:30 p.m. will guess how long it will take for the engine to stop running.
A model car contest for youths will be headquartered at Apparel Alternatives on Front Street, where entries can be checked in on festival day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Two age divisions will be featured for children 6 to 10 and 11 to 15 years old.
The trophy presentation will be at 2 p.m.
Auto show participants can register in advance of the festival at the Chamber of Commerce for $8.
Day-of-show registration is $10.
The event awards first- and second-place trophies in 15 classes, which this year includes a division for the best '70s/'80s vehicle.
Phillipson said auto registration on festival day opens at 8 a.m. at Beckwith Park and this year runs only until 11 a.m.
Also new this year, voting by show participants will conclude at noon.
Following the classic auto show, Phillipson said Jay Teter will perform in concert at 6 p.m. on the Dowagiac campus of Southwestern Michigan College (see page 1).
Gates open at 4 p.m. with Northern Exposure kicking off the country/Western concert at 4:30 p.m.
To receive a schedule of events, to register a show vehicle or to sign up for the Tailgate Treasures flea market, call the Chamber of Commerce today at 269/782-8212.