Wisconsin July Car Shows & Museums

By John Gunnell

If you enjoy going to Wisconsin car shows on weekends, you may want to visit some of the state’s car museums during the week. We are familiar with six of them, the Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford; The Automobile Gallery in Green Bay; The Dahl Automotive Museum in La Crosse; The Motorama Museum in Aniwa, Elmer’s Car & Toy Museum in Fountain City and Doc’s Harley-Davidson dealership in Shawano.

Wisconsin Automotive Museum 147 N. Rural St., Hartford. Includes the Nash Car Club Exhibit and the Southeastern Wisconsin Short Track Hall of Fame, as well as a steam locomotive. Over 115 cars including the largest collection of Kissel Kars made in Hartford. Check Website for admission costs and hours or call the museum at 262-673-7999 or email info@wisconsinautomuseum.com.

The Automobile Gallery 400 S. Adams St., Green Bay, WI Call 920-437-9024. Founder “Red” Lewis thought cars were works of art, so he built an Art Gallery to display cars in. About 60 cars and trucks can be seen on any visit, with the inventory constantly changing. The car are colorful examples of old, new and current Classics. Check the Website for admission costs and hours.

Dahl Auto Museum 711 3^rd St. South, La Crosse, WI Exhibits on automobiles, automotive history and the Dahl family’s long history in the car business. Around 25 classic cars and trucks can be seen, as well as a drive-in movie theatre with a T-Bird. Check the Website for admission costs and hours.

The Motorama Museum 181705 Stradale Lane, Aniwa, WI has over 400 vehicles on display and includes a race room; bike barn; bone-yard; exotic cars and military vehicles. Many rare and one-of-a kind vehicles from around the world including the Alfa Heaven collection. Home of the SSZ Stradale, an exotic super-car designed and manufactured in Marathon County, Wisconsin. Check the Website for admission costs and hours.

Elmer’s Auto & Toy Museum, W903 Elmers Rd., Fountain City, WI.  608-687-7221. Antique and classic autos and trucks; antique motorcycles; bicycles; pedal cars; antique dolls. Majestic view of Mississippi River Valley from Eagle Bluff. Visit www.elmersautoandtoymuseum.com to get 2021 admission costs and hours.

Doc’s Harley-Davidson Museum W2709 State Highway 29, Bonduel, WI A free museum packed with old cars and classic motorcycles. Get “lost in time” and relive fond memories. The theme is set as you enter through the original bi-fold doors of a 1938 Standard gas station that was reassembled on one wall of the museum. The fillin’ station is complete with an original light-up Standard sign and a 1928 Milwaukee Pump Works visible gas pump.

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JULY 2021 CAR SHOWS

• July 15-18. Elkhart Lake/Plymouth, WI. Weather Tech International Challenge with Brian Redman. Vintage racing. Concours d’Elegance for race cars on Friday, sports cars on Saturday. Road America, N7390 State Hwy. 67, Elkhart Lake, WI. 800-365-7223, https://www.roadamerica.com/weathertech-international-challenge-brian-redman.

• July 16. Manawa, Wis., Throwback to the ‘60s Downtown Car Show.  5 pm–8 pm in downtown Manawa near the post office. Cars, trucks, bikes and tractors. Live band: Shades of Blooze. For Information: 1-715-281-6925. On Facebook: www.facebook.com/manawacarshows/

• July 17. Combined Locks, WI. Paperfest Car & Cycle Show. Memorial Park, 8 am-2 pm. Car & Motorcycle Show questions can be sent to carshow@paperfest.com.

• July 18. Phillips, WI. PCAA Car Show. Price County Fair Grounds, Hwy H. 9 am-2 pm. Registration $10. Marvin or Tammie Karpinski (262) 210-2676 or (715) 780-0031.

• July 18. Appleton, WI. Pierce Park Auto Show & Swap Meet. 8 am-4 pm. Over 1,000 vehicles. Free admission for spectators and cars. Trophies in 29 classes. General information: 1-920-779-641 or visit www.appletonoldcarshow.com. Swap meet registration call Kevin at 1-920-434-0403 or Caroline at 1-920-733-3945. Write: Appleton Old Car Show, PO Box 111, Hortonville, WI 54944.

• July 18. Ridin’ Durty Car Show. Ridin Durty would like to welcome everyone back for RD13 our 13^th-year anniversary. Thank you to the past, present and future participants. This show would not be a show without your show vehicles. Please feel free to add anyone to the event that may be interested. 2929 Allied St., Ashwaubenon Bowling Lanes. 8 am – 3 pm. Information: 920-350-9303.

• July 23. Manawa, Wis., Back to the ‘50s Downtown Car Show.  5 pm–8 pm in downtown Manawa near the post office. Cars, trucks, bikes and tractors. Dress the part – prizes for Best Dressed. For Information: 1-715-281-6925. On Facebook: www.facebook.com/manawacarshows/

• July 24. Weyauwega, WI. Food Truck & Car Show. Waupaca County Fairgrounds. 602 South St., Weyauwega. 8 am -5 pm.

• July 24 WI, Peshtigo. Zion Church Car Show. 221 S. Ellis St. 9 am-2 pm. Call: (715) 582-3680.

• July 24. Lena, WI. Rusty Nutz Car Show. Ray’s Boneyard Saloon. Hwy. 141. 8 am-2 pm.

• July 24. Crivitz, WI. Drunkin’ Pig Car Second Annual Car Show. Caldron Falls Bar. W12326 Keith Lane, Crivitz, WI. 8 am-2 pm. Information: 715-757-3467.

• July 24. Bonnie & Clyde’s Gangster Park Summer Nationals Classic Car & Bike Show. 5261 Highway 51. Harshaw, WI. 8 am-3pm. Information: www.gangsterpark.com.

• July 25. Ashwaubenon, WI.  DJ’s Car Show for Vets.  Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley 7:30 am – 3 pm.

• July 25. Fond du Lac, WI. Cars on the Island Car Show. Lakeside Park. 8 am-3 pm.

• July 25. Stone Toad Bar & Grille Car Show. 1109 Oneida St., Menasha, WI. 9 am – 3 pm.

• July 25. Green Bay Classics Car Show & Meet. W1215 Center Rd, Brillion, WI.  9 am to close.

• July 25. Cool City Car Show. Central Park. Downtown Two Rivers, WI.

• July 25. St.Louis Parish Car Show & Parade. Downtown, Dykesville, WI 10 am-2 pm. 

• July 28-Aug 1, 2021. Brookfield, WI. National DeSoto Club Convention. Corner of Calhoun Road and North Avenue. Admission FREE, www.desoto.org.

• July 30. Manawa, Wis., Cruise the Night Downtown Car Show.  5 pm–8 pm in downtown Manawa near the post office. Cars, trucks, bikes and tractors. Live band. For Information: 1-715-281-6925. On Facebook: www.facebook.com/manawacarshows/

• July 31-Aug 1. Elkhorn, WI. 36th Annual Summer Elkhorn Automotive Swap Meet, Car For Sale Corral and Two-Day Car Show at Walworth County Fairgrounds. New: Car Corral now online. Featuring Buicks, Pontiacs, Oldsmobile’s all makes models welcome. For information call (608) 244-8416 or visit www.madisonclassics.com.

AUGUST 2021 CAR SHOWS

• August 8. South Bay Marina, Green Bay, Wis. Benefit Car Show for Fat Daddy Mark Hagstrom’s wife Lynn.At theNEW Motorama, Milwaukee World of Wheels, Chicago World of Wheels or Cleveland Piston Powered Auto Rama panel jams Fat Daddy’s artwork raised lots of money for charities. This show will raise money for Lynn’s cancer treatments. Cruise-in and Car Show event with pig roast and trophies. Contact: Rick Paulick at rickpaulick@gmail,com.

• August 8. Grignon Mansion Car Show. 10 am-3pm. Come visit the Mansion and view some of the nicest cars, trucks and motorcycles the Valley has to offer. Bring your family to enjoy endless amounts of fun, food and games! Classes range from 1900’s to current. This year we are adding exciting new categories such as kid’s rideable vehicles, racecars, Mayor’s choice, and more! ​All proceeds from the  Car Show go to the preservation and maintenance of the Grignon Mansion. Contact Grignon Mansion Executive Director, ​Cassidy Mickelson at cmickelson@kaukauna-wi.org or 920-422-6041. ​

• August 13-14. Symco, Wis. Symco HotRod & Kustom Weekender. Traditional hot rod and kustom car show. (Check Website for show car criteria). Live music. Camping. Pinup contest. Swap meet. Vendors. Photography and modeling. Mini-bike Races.  Pre-register online at www.symcohotrods.com. Information: 1-920-251-0920.

• August 14. Abbotsford, Wis. First City Days Car Cruise. Registration starts at 5 pm. Cruise starts at 6 pm. Registration fee: Non-perishable item for local food pantry. Show car not required. Information: Brenda at 715-613-6094.

• August 14. Berlin, Wis. Saturday night Memorial Cruise. Presented by Street Cruzers, Inc., Car Club in partnership with the Berlin Fire Dept. Starting at Riverside Park. 6 pm.  (line up at 5 pm). Bring a nonperishable item for local food pantry. Visit on Facebook.

• August 15. Abbotsford, Wis. 16^th Annual Abbotsford First City Days Car Show. Red Arrow Park. 8 am to 3 pm. 28 classes. 2 trophies per class. Spectators free. Car registration fee $10. For information call 715-721-6881; 715-613-6094 or 715-223-8509.

• August 15. Berlin, Wis. 34^th Annual Berlin Car Show. Presented by Street Cruzers, Inc., Car Club in partnership with the Berlin Fire Dept. Riverside Park. 8 am to 3 pm. Rain or shine. Free spectator admission. Car registration fee $10. Visit the show on Facebook.

SEPTEMBER 2021 CAR SHOWS

• September 18. 38^th Annual Hill & Valley Antique Auto & Americana Show. Cross Plains, Wis.  Classes for cars, trucks and tractors. 22-mile Model T Tour. Free spectator entry. Car registration $10. Contact: John Riley at (608) 770-5646 or Don Chandler at (608) 513-8254 or (608) 798-3040.

• September 19. St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Hwy 45 Marion, Wis.  Car Show. 22 classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and tractors. Free spectator entry. Car registration $5. 8 am to 2:30 pm. Information: 715-754-2028, 715-754-5083 or 715-250-0702.  

• September 25. Zoobilee Car Show.  Bruemer Park Zoo. Kewaunee, Wis.  8 am to 2 pm.  $5 pre-registration; $10 day of show. Sponsored by Jorn’s Chevrolet. Ph: 920-449-4742. 10 car classes, kids’ activities, arts & crafts vendors, food vendors, 50/50 raffle.