The 1950s will rock on at car show Saturday

Last modified: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 12:04 PM CDT

The 1950s will rock on at car show Saturday

Gas sold for an average of $1.40 a gallon in March of 2002, just a few months before the last time the Classic Auto Fest was held in Chippewa Falls.

While the price of gas has more than doubled since the June 6, 2002 show, the beauty of the vintage cars that will be on display haven’t changed.

About 300 classic cars from the 1950s and 1960s are expected for the celebration Saturday on Bridge Street, which will be closed off to traffic from Spring to Willow street.

The show, which has free admission, is back in Chippewa Falls after spending the last few in Eau Claire.

Billed as a salute to the 1950s, the show will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 26, said Duke Thompson.

“The ‘50s brought the car scene to the forefront,” said Thompson, a classic car collector from Eau Claire and the organizer of the Classic Auto Fest. The event is being held in the cooperation of Chippewa Falls Main Street.

Thompson goes by the nickname of “The Duke of Earl,” mirroring the name of famous Gene Chandler song from 1962 and a car he once owned.

The July 26 celebration will honor members of police, sheriff and fire departments, along with emergency medical crews, with a Salute to Freedom at 4 p.m. That will also kick off the presentation of trophies for the winning cars, Thompson said.

He said the event will also have “Bo Huff’s Rockabilly Northwoods Tour,” featuring car customizer Bo Huff of Utah. His custom car work is being featured in several magazines, including Ol’Skool Rodz.

Also playing at the event will be “Mad Max and the Wild Ones,” a husband and wife who perform with their three boys.

Thompson said classic cars from as far away as a couple hundred miles will be on display.

Main Street expects over 1,000 people to attend the event, which will be covered by Ol’Skool Rodz Magazine.