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Rolling into Summerfest

Classic Car Roll-in opens Summerfest in Sleepy Eye

Mike Schauman, along with his youngest grandson Logan, inspect the vehicles at Sleepy Eye’s Classic Car Roll-in.

SLEEPY EYE – The 2024 Summerfest weekend in Sleepy Eye started Friday night with a Classic Car Roll-in hosted by The Dawg Haus Bar & Grill.

Several dozen automobiles from every era pulled into The Dawg Haus parking lot starting at 4:30 p.m. By 5:30 p.m. the lot was filled to capacity and Dawg Haus co-owner John Bendix began directng vehicles to the lot across the street.

There was a brief concern the event would get rained out. Shortly before 5 p.m. a quick rain shower fell, providing the classic cars with a light wash. After the brief storm the sun came with none of the vehicle worse for the ware.

One of the early Roll-in participants was Chuck Beitlich of New Ulm. He arrived with his blue 2009 Dodge Challenger. Beitlich said he had attended several New Ulm roll-in events and decided to see how Sleepy Eye could run roll-in.

The event turned into a family event, with entire extended families taking part in the fun. Mike and Marilynn Schauman arrived in a 1954 Bel Air filled to capacity with grandchildren.

Dozens of colorful classic cars turnout for the Sleepy Eye Summerfest Roll-in event Friday. The roll-in was hosted by The Dawg Haus Bar & Grill. The Dawg Haus lot would reach capacity within an of the roll-in starting.

The Schaumans have owned the Bel Air for three years. Marilynn found it online and fell in love with the vehicle, patina and all.

Mike Schauman said despite the exterior showing its age, the vehicle runs quite well. The engine, brakes and other internal parts were recently replaced.

Mike Schauman and his youngest grandson Logan toured the rows of classic cars parked in the lot, while Marilynn staged the Bel Air. To give the vehicle extra ’50s nostalgia she attached a drive-up restaurant food tray to the driver-side door complete with replica cheeseburger and root beer mug.

The oldest car on display was a 1922 Model-T that belonged to Diane Ibberson. She was the only the second person to own the Model-T. One of her relatives purchased the vehicle new. The 1922 Model-T has the distinction of being the only vehicle in the series outfitted with both electric lights and kerosene lamps.

Diane’s husband Dean Ibberson brought along two other vehicles. A 1975 Stingray Corvette and 1976 Rolls-Royce. Dean Ibberson said the Rolls actually belonged to his son Matt. The Rolls also drew curious looks as it was the only vehicle at the roll-in with steering wheel on the right side. Ibberson said the car was originally from England and still had English license plates.

A 1922 Model-T, a 1976 Rolls Royce and 1975 Stingray Corvette park next to each other at the Sleepy Eye Class Car Roll-in. All three vehicles are owned by Diane and Dean Ibberson. Dean Ibberson stands in the back admiring the Thunderbird that just arrived.

This was the second time Sleepy Eye has hosted a Roll-in event for Summerfest. Bendix said last year’s roll-in also brought in a strong turnout with vehicles lined up and down the street. This was the first year The Dawg Haus was able to host the event and Bendix was happy to see so much turnout for the evening.

“You always want to see a lot of people turn out,” he said. “I do body work on the side and I really get a kick out of seeing the ’50s vehicles. Muscle cars are great, but the old ones really get to me.”

Sleepy Eye’s Summerfest activities will continues all weekend. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, the Pork & Pints in the Park event will be held at Allison Park. From 3 p.m to 4 p.m. a water ski show, curtesy of Little Crow Ski Show will also be held on Sleepy Eye Lake. At 6 p.m. the Summerfest Grand Parade begins starting at 1st Ave. South.

Marilynn Schauman sets up a vintage drive-in restaurant tray on her 1954 Bel Air to drive home the ‘50s nostalgia.

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