Staff photo by Fritz Busch Autofest club members pictured with their vehicles in German Park are front row, from left, Lee Knauf, 1966 Chevrolet Corvair; Paul Maday, 1971 AMC Ambassador; Larry Hoffman, 1973 Dodge Challenger; Norman Grathwohl, 2007 Honda 919. Back row, Jerry Schugel, 1956 Buick Century; Tony Miller, 1959 Edsel; Bob Fisch, 2009 Dodge Challenger; Mark Stueber, 2008 Ford Mustang, Mark Dauer, 1970 Dodge Challenger.

NEW ULM — More than 400 registered vehicles are expected to roll into the Brown County Fairgrounds Sunday for the 24th Annual Autofest.

The show begins at 9 a.m. and continues until 3 p.m.

The event features free registration and admission, free drawings all day, food and beverages, a model car contest, swap meet and craft and vendor show.

The show is not judged. Owners of vehicles of any age and condition are welcome.

Autofest club members Paul Maday and Norman Grathwohl talked about how the event began decades ago.

“Several of us with old, classic cars always talked about getting them out of the garage more,” said Maday. “A number of us including Larry Frederickson, Norman Grathwohl and my brother Dennis and myself decided to start a car show. We had about 75 vehicles the first year at our old car and truck dealership and Joe’s Campers on South Broadway.”

Maday said the show got to large, it was moved to the Brown County Fairgrounds after a few years.

“It’s a lot of work to put it on, but it’s a blast,” he said. “We’ve got a good group of club members that help us out. Norman’s wife Lisa helps out, doing a heckuva job along with other people.”

The show draws people from Minnesota, Iowa, North and South Dakota.

“We don’t charge for anything and this is not a judged show,” said Norm Grathwohl. “There are a lot of nice, old vehicles in New Ulm. This is a chance to get them outside and enjoyed.”

“It’s just for the fun of it. Bring what you drive daily if you want. We don’t care,” said Maday. “The biggest show was two years ago with more than 500 vehicles.”

He said 50 vendors are signed up for the craft and vendor show in the civic center.

“Former Minnesota Vikings football player Paul Krause plans to come and show one of his cars,” said Maday. “The Pan Car from St. Cloud is expected to be at the show.”

The Pan Car produced by Pan Motor Company from 1918 to 1922, is known for its fold-down seats that convert into a double bed.

The New Ulm Fire Department plans to display some of its antique equipment at Autofest.

Food vendors include 4-H clubs, the Izaak Walton League, a Mexican food truck, Jersey’s Sweet Spot Ice Cream Truck and a Legacy BBQ food truck.

“It’s a good time rolling. Enjoy it,” said Maday.

Participants are asked to enter the event via the New Ulm Civic Center parking lot entrance and enter the fairgrounds just northeast of the civic center.

No dogs, bicycles or alcohol will be allowed on the show grounds.