Staff photo by Fritz Busch Autofest ‘24 will feature several hundred vehicles at the Brown County Fairgrounds Sunday. A number of participants lined up their vehicles at Apitz gas station on Front Street. Pictured from left, Norman and Lisa Grathwohl 1984 Hurst Olds, Mark Dauer 1983 Olds 442, Lee Knauf 1966 Chevrolet Corvair convertible, Alan Solberg 1933 Dodge five-window coupe, Roy Janni 1970 Chevelle SS 396 and Chuck Wieland 1949 Ford “rat rod.”

If you go:

What: New Ulm Autofest car, truck and motorcycle show

When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, June 30

Where: Brown County Fairgrounds

Cost: Free

By Fritz Busch

NEW ULM — Shimmering rows of shining metal and classic rock and roll music are part of the 22nd annual Autofest, the largest car and motorcycle show in Southern Minnesota.

The free, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. show at the Brown County Fairgrounds features a disc jockey with 50s, 60s, and 70s music, remote speakers, a new, larger swap meet area, prize drawings, four food trucks, an ice cream truck and root beer floats.

Specialty vehicles to be parked in front of the grandstand include a street rod and a dragster.

The show is not judged. Participants are welcome to enter their vehicle whether it’s a family “daily driver” or detailed custom vehicle.

The first 350 participants receive a gift bag including a 2025 calendar, can cooler and other items.

The weather sounds agreeable with a high of 71 degrees and no rain forecast.

“It should be a great day. There’s a lot of things planned. The local Boy Scouts of America troop is setting up a pinewood derby (downhill race track) and will talk about what the Scouts are all about,” said Autofest Committee member Paul Maday.

A number of Autofest Club members will bring their favorite cars including a 1969 American Motors AMX, 1984 Olds Hurst, 1983 Olds 442, 1966 Chevrolet Corvair convertible, 1933 Dodge five-window coupe, 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 and a 1949 Ford rat rod.

A rat rod is a customized vehicle with typically lacks paint, shows rust and features “cast-off” (miscellaneous) parts that have been repurposed. Non-automotive examples include wrenches as door handles, hand saws as sun visors and guns as gear shifters.

For more information, follow New Ulm Autofest on Facebook.