EXPLORE: Cruising Central Iowa
By Cyote Williams
Want to see the area’s best classic or newest cars? From Mustangs and Corvettes to the Ford Thunderbird and Chevrolet Bel Air your grandparents used to drive, you’ll find most anything at this summer’s car shows.
RUNNELLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ANNUAL CAR SHOW
201 Brown St., Runnells
www.halfacre-farms.com
May 19
This will be the 10th annual car show held by the Runnells Historical Society. Held in the historic downtown, the event includes a live auction, races, breakfast and lunch available at the Runnells Community Center. There will be plenty of awards up for grabs at this family-friendly event.
CELEBRASIAN CAR SHOW
Western Gateway Park, 1205 Locust St., Des Moines
www.iowaasianalliance.com
May 24-25
Des Moines’ massive celebration of Asian culture will include a car show. The annual event will feature cash prizes for the winners. And, the CelebrAsian event is right there for the whole family to enjoy.
MUSTANG CLUB OF CENTRAL IOWA
ALL FORD SHOW
801 Bass Pro Drive N.W., Altoona
www.mustangclubofcentraliowa.org
June 2
From 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., this car show hosted by the Mustang Club of Iowa is sure to please the Ford enthusiast in your life. This will be the club’s 44th annual show of only Ford powered vehicles. The day will include a kid’s corner with games and prizes for the little ones and more than 40 voting classes. Organizers expect to have roughly 300 cars on display this year.
GOOD GUYS CAR SHOW
Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.good-guys.com/hln
July 5-7
The guys are good, but the cars are better. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, the Iowa State Fairgrounds will be taken over by classic cars. Since 1983, the Goodguys Car Shows have attracted millions of attendees and the best-looking cars you could imagine. There will be plenty of vendors and entertainment during the weekend as well.
HOT DOGS AND HOT RODS
755 Hickman Road, Waukee
www.shottenkirkchevy.net
July 20
This will be the second year that Waukee’s Shottenkirk Chevrolet dealership puts on this event. Starting at 11 a.m., you’ll be able to enjoy both of what the car show’s name is offering: hot dogs and hot rods. There will be live music, grilling, classic cars and plenty more to entertain the entire family.
CLASSIC VALLEY CAR SHOW
4444 Fuller Road, West Des Moines
www.valleycommunity.center
July 27
Make your way over to the Valley Community Center for the ninth annual Classic Valley Car Show. This car show will give classic car lovers that nostalgic blast-from-the-past feeling while showing off some of the best classic cars in the West Des Moines area and beyond. This event is free and is expected to have more than 400 cars in attendance.
MUSTANGS AT THE CROSSROADS NATIONAL SHOW
6111 Fleur Drive, Des Moines
www.mustangsatthecrossroads.com
Aug. 9-11
Another Mustang club event, this one benefits the Blank Children’s Hospital, Easter Seals Iowa and the Wounded Warrior Project. There will be a brunch on Sunday, several chances to see some of the area’s best Mustangs win awards and expert speakers giving their analysis on topics such as restoration and upkeep of the classic muscle car.
DES MOINES CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE
Pappajohn Sculpture Park, 1330 Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.desmoinesconcours.com
Sept. 6-8
The finer side of car shows, this event celebrates the art in classic and vintage automobiles. The cars selected for this show are chosen for their ability to show off their style, especially of those who designed and engineered them.
HALFWAY TO ST. PAT’S CHARITY CAR SHOW
Charlie’s Filling Station, 305 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
www.friendlysonsiowa.com
Sept. 22
The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick are holding a fundraising car show to benefit the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Bring your classic or unique vehicle. Registration is 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Trophies will be awarded at 3 p.m.
Want to see the area’s best classic or newest cars? From Mustangs and Corvettes to the Ford Thunderbird and Chevrolet Bel Air your grandparents used to drive, you’ll find most anything at this summer’s car shows.
RUNNELLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ANNUAL CAR SHOW
201 Brown St., Runnells
www.halfacre-farms.com
May 19
This will be the 10th annual car show held by the Runnells Historical Society. Held in the historic downtown, the event includes a live auction, races, breakfast and lunch available at the Runnells Community Center. There will be plenty of awards up for grabs at this family-friendly event.
CELEBRASIAN CAR SHOW
Western Gateway Park, 1205 Locust St., Des Moines
www.iowaasianalliance.com
May 24-25
Des Moines’ massive celebration of Asian culture will include a car show. The annual event will feature cash prizes for the winners. And, the CelebrAsian event is right there for the whole family to enjoy.
MUSTANG CLUB OF CENTRAL IOWA
ALL FORD SHOW
801 Bass Pro Drive N.W., Altoona
www.mustangclubofcentraliowa.org
June 2
From 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., this car show hosted by the Mustang Club of Iowa is sure to please the Ford enthusiast in your life. This will be the club’s 44th annual show of only Ford powered vehicles. The day will include a kid’s corner with games and prizes for the little ones and more than 40 voting classes. Organizers expect to have roughly 300 cars on display this year.
GOOD GUYS CAR SHOW
Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.good-guys.com/hln
July 5-7
The guys are good, but the cars are better. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, the Iowa State Fairgrounds will be taken over by classic cars. Since 1983, the Goodguys Car Shows have attracted millions of attendees and the best-looking cars you could imagine. There will be plenty of vendors and entertainment during the weekend as well.
HOT DOGS AND HOT RODS
755 Hickman Road, Waukee
www.shottenkirkchevy.net
July 20
This will be the second year that Waukee’s Shottenkirk Chevrolet dealership puts on this event. Starting at 11 a.m., you’ll be able to enjoy both of what the car show’s name is offering: hot dogs and hot rods. There will be live music, grilling, classic cars and plenty more to entertain the entire family.
CLASSIC VALLEY CAR SHOW
4444 Fuller Road, West Des Moines
www.valleycommunity.center
July 27
Make your way over to the Valley Community Center for the ninth annual Classic Valley Car Show. This car show will give classic car lovers that nostalgic blast-from-the-past feeling while showing off some of the best classic cars in the West Des Moines area and beyond. This event is free and is expected to have more than 400 cars in attendance.
MUSTANGS AT THE CROSSROADS NATIONAL SHOW
6111 Fleur Drive, Des Moines
www.mustangsatthecrossroads.com
Aug. 9-11
Another Mustang club event, this one benefits the Blank Children’s Hospital, Easter Seals Iowa and the Wounded Warrior Project. There will be a brunch on Sunday, several chances to see some of the area’s best Mustangs win awards and expert speakers giving their analysis on topics such as restoration and upkeep of the classic muscle car.
DES MOINES CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE
Pappajohn Sculpture Park, 1330 Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.desmoinesconcours.com
Sept. 6-8
The finer side of car shows, this event celebrates the art in classic and vintage automobiles. The cars selected for this show are chosen for their ability to show off their style, especially of those who designed and engineered them.
HALFWAY TO ST. PAT’S CHARITY CAR SHOW
Charlie’s Filling Station, 305 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
www.friendlysonsiowa.com
Sept. 22
The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick are holding a fundraising car show to benefit the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Bring your classic or unique vehicle. Registration is 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Trophies will be awarded at 3 p.m.