Packard museum to present annual car show

Staff report

Warren

The National Packard Museum will present its 23rd annual Antique and Classic Car Show this weekend, with the theme “Packards Abroad.”

Three special exhibits are on display inside the museum, including “Packards Abroad,” “Packards at Speed” and “Electric Elegance,” the latter featuring Baker Electric Cars built from 1904-13.

Car show special events begin at 6 p.m. Friday with the “Welcome to Warren” cocktail reception in the museum’s Great Hall Gallery for registrants, museum members and event sponsors to socialize before Saturday’s show. Entertainment will be provided by the Take II Band. A registration fee of $150 per person is required for the cocktail reception.

At 9 a.m. Saturday, specially invited antique and classic vehicles will be displayed alongside Packard vehicles in a prestigious concourse-style event known as the Packard Courtyard of Classics. By broadening the scope beyond Packard automobiles, this summer’s annual car show has attracted out-of-state registrants and some significant high-end classic vehicles.

The Courtyard of Classics runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and features upscale food vendors and entertainment, including a vocal performance by The Stephen Foster Chorus at 11 a.m. and a musical performance by the Dixie Dandies at noon. New this year will be the deluxe Packard Garage Sale, featuring gently used household and office items for sale. The garage sale will be open both Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Classic vehicles will be judged on the show field Saturday afternoon, and trophies will be presented at a ceremony in the museum at 6 p.m. The banquet will feature a special presentation by Packard historian Jim Balfour of Dowagiac, Mich. A registration fee of $40 per person is required.

The popular All-Makes and Models Automobile and Motorcycle Cruise-In will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday. Registration is free and dash plaques will be presented to the first 150 participants. The cruise-in is a family event with food, music and activities for all ages, nd a live broadcast on WBBG-FM. Trophies will be presented at 3 p.m.

As always, the National Packard Museum’s Packard weekend concludes Sunday evening with an outdoor concert by the Packard Concert Band on the South Lawn of the Packard Music Hall.