Depot Days - Annual Car Show

By Monetta Young, reporter
Posted 8/22/17

AMBOY - The area’s biggest and best car show returns this year bigger and better than ever. The Amboy Depot Days Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show will take place on Sunday, Aug. 27 (rain or shine) during Depot Days in Amboy.

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Depot Days - Annual Car Show

Posted

AMBOY - The area’s biggest and best car show returns this year bigger and better than ever. The Amboy Depot Days Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show will take place on Sunday, Aug. 27 (rain or shine) during Depot Days in Amboy. As in years past, the judged show will include an array of cars, trucks and motorcycles on display throughout the downtown area.
The Amboy Depot Days Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show was started in 1991 by a group of friends who not only had an interest in antique and classic vehicles but also desired a way to showcase their community. Since that time, the show has grown not only in the number of vehicles on display but also in the quality of vehicles, which has continued getting better each year.
All but six of the original 36-member car show group is still together with the addition of many new volunteers who have joined them over the years. The committee, led by chairman Garth Dallam, meets about 14 times a year to make things run smoothly.
“Last year, we had 533 cars register and more that came into the show, but chose not to be part of the judging.”
The K Class, is designed for those who choose not to be judged. There will also be a special class of cars competing in a statewide competition for sound systems sponsored by the IASCA (International Auto Sound Challenge Association).

These cars will be on display at the triangle at the Amboy Junior High School.
Speaking of judges, so far volunteers are down for this year. If you are interested in participating, please contact Garth Dallam at 815-857-2946. First time judges are paired with experienced judges and it is quite a process.
Another 50-60 volunteers will be on hand to help park the cars. The venue will be extended again this year as numbers could be near 1,000 entries. The show will include Main Street to Commercial, East Avenue, Main Street to Division, Jones Street, Main Street to Division, the Sensient Flavors parking lot, the Amboy Fire Department parking lot and the street in front of Appleton.
For the volunteers, the day starts early. Registration starts at 6 a.m. and by 5 a.m., there is a double line waiting to get in. Cars come from as far away as Iowa and Wisconsin for this show.
Volunteer firemen from Amboy, Sublette and Harmon wash the streets down, then volunteers start at 2:30 a.m., heir job is to close the streets and set up the gates. Then another crew comes in to mark off the various classes and set up markers. It all has to be ready to go by 6 a.m.
Registration of vehicles will be from 6-11 a.m. Sunday morning and dash plaques will be given to the first 500 cars and first 65 motorcycles. Judging takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There are 47 classes and three trophies are awarded in each class; four trophies will be awarded for any class with over 20 entries. Awards will be presented after 3 p.m. on the main stage near the Depot Museum.
Participant voting awards include best engine, best paint, best interior, best GM, best Ford, best Mopar, Best of Show and Best of Show Motorcycle. Other awards include Mayor’s Choice Award, Miss Amboy Award and a special prize to the longest distance traveled to the show.
Special features at the show this year will be Eddie Munster with some of the vehicles from The Munsters TV show.
A free shuttle service will again be available on Sunday. Visitors may park at Amboy High School or the Jaycee Building and be transported to the downtown area.
Proceeds from the Amboy Car Show benefit various projects within the community. More information is available online at www.depotdays.com.