Classic music and cars

Free registration, admission, drawings swap meet

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.