With great sadness, we inform you that in the time since this article was submitted, Car Guy – John Gunnell passed away. He died suddenly following a medical procedure on Aug. 24 in Marshfield, Wis. We are grateful for all John brought to us in his role as Out & About WI’s Car Guy and to us as a friend and co-worker. You can find a full tribute here.
By John Gunnell
Whether you have an early flathead-powered Pontiac, a muscle-era GTO or Firebird, a GMC truck or bus, a full-sized ‘60s Wide-Track Pontiac or late-model Sunbird, Solstice, or G8, the Badger State Chapter of the Pontiac-Oakland Club International has a place for your “ride” at its annual car show on September 9, 2023 in Omro, Wisconsin.
This year’s All Pontiac-Oakland-GMC Car Show will unfold in Scott Park at 315 East Main St. in Omro. Show vehicle registration takes place from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. The venue offers a beautiful park setting along the banks of the Fox River. There will be music, a playground for kids, and fun for individuals and families. It is the Badger State Chapter POCI’s 39th annual event, and experience counts when it comes to putting on a car show.
There will be 20 awards given out by popular choice voting and an award for the car or truck driven the longest distance to the show. Pontiacs (1926-2002), Oaklands (1907-1931) and GMCs (1903-present) were all built in Pontiac, Michigan, and can all be displayed at Pontiac Oakland Club International events. Since production of Pontiacs stopped over 20 years ago, all Pontiacs ever built can qualify, today, for blue-and-red Wisconsin Collector license plates that do not have to be renewed yearly.
Spectator admission to the September 9 event is free. It is $10 per vehicle to register a show car or truck. No vehicle age limitations apply. The show will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. rain or shine. Popular choice voting will end at 1 p.m., and the awards will be presented at 2 p.m. The accompanying photos were taken by the author at previous Badger State Chapter car shows. For additional information, contact:
DICK BONESKE, 920-450-1040, BOCOOGTO@CGMAIL.COM
DERRICK HOTTENSTINE, 920-284-6938, VARSITYGLF2@GMAIL.COM
TODD ZIMMERMANN, 920-889-0895, TAZIMMY@AOL.COM
Car shows can be cancelled; car show dates can change; some shows depend on good weather. At Out & About Wisconsin, we make an extreme effort each month to include a phone number, email, or website for all events we list. Please use this information, in advance of traveling to events, to be sure there are no cancellations or changes.
CAR SHOWS and EVENTS SEPTEMBER 2023 and LATER
Sept. 2, 2023. Pardeeville, Wis. 18th Annual Pardeeville Community Car Show. Chandler Park. Website: www.PardeevilleCarShow.com
Sept. 2, 2023. Marinette, Wis. Moose Club Car Show. N5233 Nettleton Rd. 7 am-3 pm. Ph: 1-715-732-4677.
Sept. 2, 2023. Manitowoc, Wis. Harbor Town Car Show. Holy Family Memorial Campus, 1650 S. 41st St. 9 am-2 pm. Visit: www.htfmhealth.org. Call: 1-920-320-2396 or email hfmfundev@froedtert.com with questions.
Sep. 3, 2023. Brussels, Wis. St. Francis & St. Mary Kermis Car Show. Town Park. 10 am-3 pm. Phone: 1-920-825-7555.
Sept. 3, 2023. Mishicot, Wis. Harpts Lake Car Show. 16306 Harpts Lake Rd. 8 am-3 pm. Ph: 1-920-360-3369.
Sept. 3, 2023. Kewaunee, Wis. Zoobilee Car Show. Bruemmer Park at E4280 Hwy F. 8 am-2 pm. Website: www.bruemmerparkzoo.com. Ph: (920) 388-0444. EM: info@bruemmerparkzoo.com.
Sept. 4, 2023. Merrill, Wis. Labor Day Car Show. Merrill Festival Grounds, 2211 E. 6th Street. 8 am-4 pm. Ph: 1-715-536-7313.
Sept. 8-9, 2023. Salem, Wis. Mississippi Mayhem. Traditional hot rod show, car show, retro market and swap meet. Pin-up girl studio and contest. Flame throwing. Vintage bicycles. Met the famous Fannie Freckles. Website: www.mississippimayhem.com.
Sept. 8-10, 2023. Wisconsin Dells. Corvette Adventures. Cloverleaf road tours from the Chula Vista resort. Barb and Ed Saari. PH: 1-309-530-9235. EM: edsandbarb@gmail.com. Web: www.CorvetteAdventures.com.
Sept. 8-11, 2023. Wendover, Utah. 2023 Bonneville World of Speed. Utah Salt Flats Racing Association (USFRA), PO Box 27365, Salt Lake City, Utah 84127-0365. Phone: 801-485-2662. Email: USFRA@saltflats.com or ellen@saltflats.com. Website: www.saltflats.com
Sept. 9, 2023. Omro, Wis. 39th Annual Badger State Chapter Pontiac-Oakland Club International All Pontiac-Oakland-GMC Car Show. Scott Park, 515 E. Main St. Registration: 8 am-noon. Car show: 10 am-2 pm. Call Dick Boneske at 1-920-450-1040 (BoCooGTO@cgmail.com); Derrick Nottenstine at 1-920-284-6958 (VarsityGLFR@gmail.com) or Todd Zimmermann at 1-920-889-0895 (TAZimmy@aol.com.
Sept. 9, 2023. Crivitz, Wis. Gateway Bar Veterans Car and Bike Show. 706 N. Highway 141. 8 am-2 pm. Ph: 1-715-854-7943.
Sept. 9, 2023. Onieda, Wis. 8th Annual Rez-Rides Car Show. Robert Cornelius VFW Post 7784, 2980 E. Service Rd., 7 am-2 pm. Ph: 1-920-869-7784.
Sept. 9, 2023. Chilton, Wis. AppleFest Car Show. Oak St @ Memorial Dr. 8 am-3 pm. For details email: info@chiltonchamber.com.
Sept. 9, 2023. Amherst, Wis. Celebrate Amherst Car Show. South Main St. at Peace Lutheran Church. 8 am – 4 pm. Organized by Central Wisconsin Model A Ford Club.For details call: Ron at 1-715-572-8249.
Sept. 9, 2023. Little Suamico, Wis. St Johns Church Car Show. 1253 Hwy J. 9 am-3-pm. Tele: 1-920-826-7785.
Sept. 9, 2023. DePere, Wis. Crowley Auto Car Show and Ice-Cream-Run. 2563 Hwy ZZ. 10 am-3 pm. Website: www.crowleyauto.com.
Sept. 9, 2023. Green Bay, Wis. United Church Car Show. 509 S. Webster. 8 am – 2 pm.
Sept. 10, 2023. Denmark, Wis. Our Saviour Church Fest Car Show. 435 Wisconsin Ave Denmark 9 am-2 pm. Ph: 1-920-241-3931.
Sept. 10, 2023. Shawano, Wis. Shawano Lake Car Show. W5785 Lake Drive. 8 am-2 pm. Information: 1-715-851-0618.
Sept 10, 2023. Saukville, Wis. 35th Annual Car, Truck & Cycle Show. Grady Park on Hwy 33. (Rain date: Sept. 17). Sponsored by Friends of the Saukville Fire Dept. For info email: friendsofSFD@aol.Com.
Sept. 12-16, 2023. Manitowoc, Wis. 59th Annual Studebaker Driver’s Club International Meet. Manitowoc County Fairgrounds. Hosted by Wisconsin Region. Website: www.sdcmeet.com. Contact: Cornerstone Registration Ltd., PO Box 1715, Maple Grove, MN 55311-6715. Email: reg@cornerstonereg.com. Vendor contact: Dick Pollen 1-920-973-6081. Email: the pollens@gmail.com
Sept. 16, 2023. Francis Creek, Wis. Bolle’s Car Show. 123 S. Packer Dr. 8 am-4 pm. Tele: 1-920-682-1421.
Sept. 15, 2023. Door County Fair Grounds Parking Lot. Door County Fairground. 14th Ave. Assemble: 4.30 pm. Parade: Starts promptly at 5 pm. Info: www.oldboltscarclub.org.
Sept. 15-17, 2023. Ariens Art on Wheels Vintage Weekend. Vintage Sports Car Driver Assoc. vintage sports car racing. Road America, N7390 Highway 67, Plymouth, Wis. 8.00 am-5 pm. Ph: 1-800-365-7223. Website: www.roadamerica.com.
Sept. 15- 16, 2023. Wild Rose, Wis. Wild Rose Classic Car Show and Cruise. Cruise on Friday Sept. 15 starting at 6 pm. Car show on Saturday Sept. 16 8 am-3 pm. Roseville Mini Golf south of Wild Rose. Car registration: $10. Ph: Al Jenks at 1-920-622-4802. Website: www.villageofwildrose.com
Sept. 16, 2023. Iola, Wis. Iola Car Show Rally 2023. Starting line: Iola Car Show Grounds, 700 E. State St. Finish line: Memonimeee Casino Resort, Keshena, Wis. Car show, lunch and free play. Details on Facebook or Instagram. Tele: 1-715-445-4000.
Sept. 16, 2023. Oconto Fly-In Car Show. 2983 Airport Rd. 9 am-4 pm. Info: 1-920-373-6948 or 1-920-834-3154.
Sep 16,2023. Manitowoc, Wis. Wisconsin Region Studebaker Drivers Club All Makes Car Show. Manitowoc County Fairgrounds. 8 am-4 pm. Tele: 1-920-242-0240.
Sept. 16, 2023. Cross Plains, Wis. 40th Annual Capital Area Model T Ford Club Hill & Valley Tour plus Antique Auto & Americana Show. Baer Park, 2820 Military Rd. 7:45 am-4:30 pm. Car show, car games and demonstrations and craft show.Music. Food booths. Ph: Don Chandler at 1-608-513-8854.
Sept. 16, 2023. Waunakee, Wis. “Cars in the Park.” 411 W. Main St. Open to all collector vehicles. 8 am-2 pm. Benefits local charities. God’s Country Pontiac Association. Contact: Sheldon Hamilton. At 1-608-712-5994 or email gtoguys1968@gmail.com.
Sept. 16, 2023. Sturgeon Bay, Wis. Harvest Fest Car Show. Martin Park, 207 South Third Ave. (Downtown area.) 8 am-4 pm. Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center. Ph: 1-920-743-6246. Info: www.oldboltscarclub.org. or oldboltscarclub@gmail.com.
Sept. 16. 2023. Wild Rose, Wis. Roseville Car Show. 1151 Main St. (Highway 22 South). 8 am-3 pm. Ph: 1-920-622-5090.
Sept. 17, 2023. Marion, Wis. St. Mary’s Church Car Show. Highway 45. 8 am-2:30 pm. Ph: 1-715-754-2028 or 1-715-754-5083 or 1-715-250-0702.
Sept. 17. 2023. Pulaski, Wis. Pulaski Car Show. At the Polka Grounds, 429 Pulaski St. 9 am-3 pm. EM: PH: 1-920-660-9126.
Sept. 17, 2023. Beloit, Wis. 47th Annual Beloit Autorama. Town of Beloit Preservation Park on Rock River (4 miles north of Beloit on Wis Hwy 51). 8 am-4pm. Website: www.beloitautorama.com.
Sept. 22-24, 2023. Jefferson, Wis. 46th Annual Fall Jefferson Auto Swap Meet and Car Show (Featuring Chevrolets). Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 503 N. Jackson St. Madison Classics PH: 1-608-244-8416. WEB: www.madisonclassics.com.
Sept. 22-24, 2023. Wisconsin Dells. Muscle Car Adventures. Cloverleaf road tours from the Chula Vista resort. Barb and Ed Saari. PH: 1-309-530-9235. EM: edsandbarb@gmail.com. Web: www.CorvetteAdventures.com.
Sept. 22-24, 2023. Jefferson, Wis. Madison Classics Fall Jefferson Car Show & Swap Meet. Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 503 N. Jackson St. Madison Classics PH: 1-608-244-8416. WEB: www.madisonclassics.com.
Sept. 23, 2023. Green Bay, Wis. First Annual Duck Cancer Car Show. Ft. Howard Memorial Park, 1350 N. Military Dr. 10 am – 2 pm. Free public entry. Show car registration $10 per vehicle. For show car registration use this link to the registration form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1w7CpYHMOOJt1p68ipKciOIj0KvPADzG8KjuDIxS7zAk/edit
Sept. 23, 2023. Kewaunee, Wis. Zoobilee Car Show. Bruemmer Park, E4280 Hwy F. 8 am-2 pm. Email: info@bruemmerparkzoo.com. Tele.: (920) 388-0444
Sept. 23, 2023. Green Bay, Wis. Hemp4Heros Car Show. Ft. Howard Memorial Park, 1350 N Military Ave. 8 am-2 pm. Contact H4H at 1-920-489-2047. Email: sales@cbdbyh4h.com.
Sept. 24, 2023. Dunbar, Wis. Richards of Dunbar Supper Club Car Show. W11466 Hwy 8. 9 am-3-pm. call (920) 838 1835.
Sept. 29, 2023. Appleton, Wis. License to Cruise Car Show. FCE Center, College Ave. 3:00 pm-9:30 pm. Show vehicles will be allowed on College Avenue at 1:30 and will be positioned by LTC staff. Cars will fill-up one block at a time. Email: appletonoctoberfest@gmail.com. Address: Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, 125 North Superior Street, Appleton, WI 5491
Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, 2023. Wisconsin Dells. Pontiac Adventures. Cloverleaf road tours from the Chula Vista resort7176. Barb and Ed Saari. PH: 1-309-530-9235. EM: edsandbarb@gmail.com. Web: www.CorvetteAdventures.com.
Sept. 27-Oct 1, 2023. Carlisle, Penna. Fall Carlisle Collector Car Flea Market, Car Corral and Auction. Carlisle Fairgrounds. Ph: 1-717-243-7855.
Sept. 30- Oct. 3, 2023. Wendover, Utah. 2023 Bonneville World Finals. Phone: (559) 528-6279. office@scta-bni.org.
Sept. 30, 2023. Green Bay, WI. The Automobile Gallery Autoberfest. (German Car Show) 2 pm-6 pm. We’ve swapped out wine and cheese for brats and beer for our German-only car show. The collection will be here for one afternoon. Dress in your finest dirndl or lederhosen and enjoy incredible German automotive engineering and amazing German food and beverages. Admission is $15 including access to the 100+ Gallery vehicles plus access to the German-only collection. The Automobile Gallery & Events Center, 400 S. Adams St., Green Bat, WI 54301. Tele: 1-920-437-9024. Website: www.theautomobilegallery.org.
Sept. 30, 2023. Wrightstown, Wis. Fall Fest Car Show. Mueller Park Boat Landing, 600 Washington St. 9 am-2 pm. Website: www.wrightstown.us.
Sept. 30, Peshtigo, Wis. Historical Day 9th Annual Car & Truck Show. Badger Park, 341 N Emery Ave. 10 am-4 pm. Ph: Steve Kaempf 1-715-938-0528. EM: steve@centurytel.net.
Oct, 1, 2023. Shawano, Wis. Harvest Fest Flea Market & Car Show. Shawano County Fairgrounds, 990 East Green Bay St. 7 am-4-pm. www.zurkopromotions.com. Tele: 1-715-526-7069.
Oct. 2-Oct. 6, 2023. 68th Annual Hershey, Penna. Hershey Swap Meet and Car Show. Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Eastern Fall Meet. Hershey Park Drive. Free admission. Ph: 1-717-566-7720.
Oct. 4, 2023. Elkhart Lake, WI. Cruise for a Cause at Road America. Middleton Motorsports is returning for another event in 2023. An incredible day of track time, a parade lap or just watch-all to benefit a good cause. Register by Sun., Sept. 24, 11:59 pm CDT. Visit Website for information: https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/cruise-for-a-cause-road-america-hpde-10-05-2023-fox-valley-sports-car-club-052234
Oct. 7, 2023. Bowler, Wis. Cars & Handlebars. NorthStar Casino, W12180 County Road A. 9 am-3 pm. Ph: 1-715-787-3110.
Oct. 7, 2023. Banana Peeler Polish Legion of American Veterans Post 186 Car Show. 3927 Lily Lake Road. 10 am-2 pm. Ph: 1-920-863-3722.
Oct. 14, 2023. Readfield/Fremont, Wis. Hunters Sports Bar Car Show. E9102 Hwy 96 @ Hwy W. 10 am-2 pm. Tele: 1-920-667-4980.
Oct. 15, 2023. Sturgeon Bay, Wis. Fuel Fed Coffee & Classics Sunday Morning Gathering of Classic European Cars. 9 am – 11 am. The Yacht Harbor Club house. 267 Nautical Dr. Info: www,fuelfed.com.
Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2023. Las Vegas, Nev. SEMA Show. Las Vegas Convention Center. Ph: 1-909-610-2030. WEB: www.semashow.com.
Dec. 7-9, 2023. Indianapolis, Ind. Performance and Racing Industry Show (PRI). Indianapolis Convention Center. PH: 1-949-499-5413. EM: mail@performanceracing.com. WEB: www.performanceracing.com.
Weekly Car-Show-Off Gatherings (From May 1 thru Oct 1, unless otherwise noted)
[Sundays] Lakewood Shell’s Cars ‘n Coffee, Hwy 32 Lakewood, Wis. 9:30 am-11 am. Ph: 1-715-276-3686.
[First and Third Tuesday] Oldies with ‘The Rev’ @ Shake-A-Burger, Main St., Oconto 4:30 pm. Ph: 1-920-834-6200.
[Second and Fourth Tuesday] Cruise with ‘The Rev.’ Leaves from former Koehn Auto, Main St., Oconto, WI. 4:30 pm.
[Tuesday] Scotts Subs Car/Bike Nite. 550 Centennial Centre Blvd, Hobart, Wis. Ph: 1-920-632-4297.
[Wednesdays] MJ’s Restaurant & Backyard Bar. W8326 Hwy MM, Hortonville, WI. Ph: (920) 779-9701.
[Wednesdays] Duck Creek A&W, Velp Ave. in Howard, Wis. 4 pm-dark. Ph: 1-920-406-8212.
[Fridays] Front-Porch Market Cruise-Ins. Coleman WI. May26, Jun16, Jul14, Aug4, Sept. 1. Ph: 1-920-857-8465.
[Thursdays] Cruise-In-Thursdays at the WINEaLOT Vineyards in Greenleaf, Wis. 4 pm-8 pm. PH: 1-920-492-1142.
[Alternating Wednesdays (even)] Green Bay, Wis. After Hours @ Stadium View Bar 6-9 pm. Tele: 1-920-498-1989.
[Alternating Opposite Wed ] Green Bay, Wis. After Hours @ Ashwaubenon Bowling. 6-9 pm. Tele: 1-920-336-0400.
[Thursdays] Scotts Subs Car & Bike Nite. Hobart, Wis. 550 Centennial Centre Blvd, Starts: 4 pm. Tele: 1-920-865-2626.
Monthly ‘Car Show-Off’ Gatherings;
[Friday] Coleman, Wis. Front-Porch Market Cruise-In. Hwy 141@ Hwy M. Sept. 1. 4:30 pm-8 pm. Sep1, 4:30 pm-8 pm.Tele: 1-920-857-8465.
[2nd Sat.] Suamico, Wis. Cars & Coffee at Woodfield Auto Condos, 2096 Deerfield Ave. 9 am-noon. Tele: 1-920-415-3000.
[3rd Sat.] Appleton, Wis. Cars & Coffee @ Classic Mechanics. 520 E. Northland . 8 am-11 am. Tele: 1-920-486-1771.
[Every Friday} Central County Fliers Fly-in Lunch and Car Show. Ogdensburg, Wis. Central County Airport. These Friday lunches are open only to registered Associate Members of the Central County Flyers Association. Lifetime family membership is $10, payable at the door. (You must be a proponent of General Aviation.) Lunch is $12. Menu posted weekly on Website: www.centralcountyflyers.org. The free car shows start each Friday at noon.