Blast from past back
Autofest car show brings up great memories, looks into future
Staff photo by Clay Schuldt This 1956 Ford Victoria owned by Stan Hanson was just one of hundreds of classic cars at this year’s Autofest.
NEW ULM– After a two-year detour, the Autofest returned to the Brown County Fairgrounds this weekend.
The Autofest was last held in 2019 due to the pandemic. The 2020 Autofest was set to be the 20th annual show. Club organizers decided to call this year the 20th annual show.
Despite the two-year delay, the Autofest was able to shift back into tradition without issue. Vehicle registration was as high, if not higher, than 2019. Car enthusiasts brought vehicles from all across the state including Lake Crystle, Hutchinson, Prior Lake, Mankato and Brainerd.
Autofest Club member Lee Knauf was pleased with the turnout on Sunday. One of the impressive aspects of the show was the variety of vehicles that part of the shown. Vehicles of every make, model and year were present at the fairgrounds.
On the south end of the fairgrounds, a maroon 1927 Model T was parked next to a new blue Rivian electric truck.
Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Hundreds of unique and classic vehicles lined up at the New Ulm Autofest Sunday. This was the first Autofest in three years, and car enthusiasts made the most of the event’s return.
The Rivian raised many questions from spectators, as it was the only truck with a trunk under its hood. The all-electric truck has a quad-motor drive. Each wheel has its own motor. The vehicle is also capable of getting 300 miles on a single charge.
The Autofest even had British representation. Vickie Tambaornino brought her red 1960 Triumph TR3 to the show.
“It took me 20 years to get this vehicle,” Tambornino said.
The TR3 is a rare vehicle with less than 10,000 estimated to have survived.
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- Submitted photo At the latest meeting of 100 Women Who Care, Kristine Rueckert explains how Tea for Cancer would use donations if selected.
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- Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Around 75 vehicles parked at the Brown County Fairgrounds for the annual Drive-in Movie. This year “The Great Outdoors” was screen for the car crowd.
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- Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The car audience waits for sunset to view the movie.
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- Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Don Hofmeister and family wait for the drive-in movie to start. Hofmiester brought along his dream car, a Ford Model A.
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- Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The audience settles inside their vehicles to as the previews roll before the drive-in feature presentation.
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- Staff photo by Clay Schult Newly crowned Fairfax royalty Kayln Hellendrung (left) and princess Abigail Lee ride in the Dayz of Thunder parade.
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- Staff photo by Clay Schult Fairfax residents gather along Depot Park near ahead of the Dayz of Thunder Parade.
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- Staff photo by Clay Schult Children rush to gather candy thrown from an old fire truck advertising the Depot Museum. The Fairfax Depot Museum was open before and after the parade as part of the Dayz of Thunder celebration.
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- Bob Fisch of New Ulm: “GTO 1967”
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- Don Hofmeister of New Ulm: “Model A”
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- Lee Knauf of New Ulm: “That’s hard to say. Covair 1966 or Saturn Sky 2009.”
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- Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Joleen Platz bags items for a customer at the farmers market, Saturday. Platz said it was successful day with many items selling out. Within the first 90 minutes of the market, most of the Platz’s table was sold out.
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- Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Jams, syrups and salsas sold well at Saturday’s farmers market. Lori Zollner of the Sugar Shanty said the syrups that sold the best were the ones with rhubarb in them.
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- Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Dain Moldan of Dain’s Dutchman plays the concertina with help from Dryden Moldan during Saturday’s farmers market.
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- Steve Marti of New Ulm: “I would like to have my original 1974 Chevy Nova.”
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- Dale Scharbach of New Ulm: “1969 Charger.”
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- Vickie Tambarinino of New Ulm: “Triumph T3 or a 1930s Crown Victoria.”
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- Staff photo by Clay Schult A long line of tractors participated in the Fairfax Dayz of Thunder Parade.
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- Sleepy Eye schools will be funded to install solar arrays though grants from the state’s Solar for Schools program to reduce engergy costs to district taxpayers and provide real-time renewable energy education to students. (Photo by OregonDOT via Creative Commons)
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- Solar arrays are being installed at or on schools nationwide, including this school in Georgia. Through the Minnesota’s Solar for Schools program, Sleepy Eye schools will be generating clean renewable energy when arrays are installed. (Photo by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District via Creative Commons)
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- Staff photo by Clay Schuldt This 1956 Ford Victoria owned by Stan Hanson was just one of hundreds of classic cars at this year’s Autofest.
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- Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Hundreds of unique and classic vehicles lined up at the New Ulm Autofest Sunday. This was the first Autofest in three years, and car enthusiasts made the most of the event’s return.
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- Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Classic automobiles from all over Minnesota came to the Brown County Fairgrounds for the 20th annual Autofest.
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- Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The 1955 Ford F100 is a classic all on its own, but with an almost early model of an Indian motorcycle in the flatbed, its a priceless artifact of history.
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- Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Two “rat rods” built by Ken Linberg of Lafayette returned to Autofest this year. The rat rods always standout for the rusty finish and menacing grills.
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- Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Vickie Tambornino stands with her pride and joy, a 1960 T3 Triumph.
Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Classic automobiles from all over Minnesota came to the Brown County Fairgrounds for the 20th annual Autofest.
Autofest was a bit of a homecoming for one 1941 Plymouth. The vehicle belongs to Willis and Kristine Runck. Willis’s grandmother won the vehicle during the Aug. 1940 Brown County Fair by purchasing a $1 raffle ticket.
His grandmother did not have a license, but his father was able to drive until 1953. The vehicle has been passed down through Runck family for 80 years. It was maintained to look as good as the day it was won.
In addition to the hundreds of vehicles at the show, Autofest brought in hundreds of spectators. Not only was it the first Autofest in three years, but it was also the best weather the Autofest has experienced in recent memory. No rain was forecast and a steady breeze kept the fairground cool.
Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The 1955 Ford F100 is a classic all on its own, but with an almost early model of an Indian motorcycle in the flatbed, its a priceless artifact of history.
Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Two “rat rods” built by Ken Linberg of Lafayette returned to Autofest this year. The rat rods always standout for the rusty finish and menacing grills.
Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Vickie Tambornino stands with her pride and joy, a 1960 T3 Triumph.
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