A scoop in the 1950s and 1960s meant driving up and down city streets and stopping at the local pizza place to see your friends, perhaps showing off your cool car or just the fact that you even had a car.
Waukegan Scoop, set for July 8 and 9, “hearkens back to that bygone era when that’s what people did on Friday and Saturday nights,” said David Motley. “They came down and participated and supported local restaurants and businesses.”
Motley, communications director for the city of Waukegan, who organizes the event, said the scoop “is all about being unplugged. There are no signups, no registration fees. Just bring your car and scoop the town.”
It’s a kind of free-for-all car show, with DJs playing music and live bands performing on various stages Friday and Saturday, plus plenty of pizza, tacos and other scoop-friendly food. An organized car show will be held Saturday as usual, but new this year will be a carnival and a Gospel Music on the Beach concert at the Stiner Pavilion on Seahorse Drive.
“It’s two days filled with fun, music and that homegrown town feel,” Motley said.
But the core of the event is this: Anyone who wants to drive down the streets with their vehicles Friday and Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. can do so.
“Last year, we had about 15,000 people in thousands of cars on Friday night. It was huge,” Motley said.
Scoop Waukegan volunteers also host an organized car show from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, with prizes awarded.
“We assemble the participating cars by year, so we’re presenting a museum of each year,” Motley said. “These vehicles are so amazing, so finely tuned, polished and presented.”
The vehicles featured in the show will then have an exclusive opportunity to go up and down Genesee Street Saturday. Then open scoop begins again — with any kind of car from any era back out in the streets.
Motley said he selected live bands to perform during both days that have ties to Waukegan. One performer Friday night is Rafael Mendez and the Fabulous House Rockers. “They’re a local favorite, homegrown talent. A vast majority of featured acts all hail from Waukegan or they started here. That’s an amazing testament to our creative community.”
Motley is excited about Wall of Denial performing Saturday night.
“It’s a tribute act to Stevie Ray Vaughan,” he said. “I heard them perform locally last year at a private event in Waukegan. I was really taken by their faithful tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan. It was great music. It goes across many genres and musical tastes.”
Motley said Waukegan Scoop patrons have asked for a carnival, so the city is adding one on both days at the corner of Clayton and Sheridan Roads.
Another addition is Gospel Music on the Beach on Saturday. Various gospel groups will perform at the Stiner Pavilion along Seahorse Drive on Waukegan Beach from noon until dusk.
Plenty of great food from local restaurants and vendors will be available during the event. “I’m a big fan of the roasted corn in a cup,” Motley said.
“I love that Mikes’ Pizza is here. I used to work there as a youngster. I love the crispy, thin crust and the ingredients and the formula.”
More Top Picks Best Whisk
Providing food “is a great way for us to show off the Waukegan restaurants to a wider audience,” he said.
Parking is free for the event, he said, even in lots that normally charge. But it will be crowded, he said. And that’s fine with him.
“I like to see that there are so many people participating without any kind of worry. They’re just coming down with their families to be part of this neverending parade of cars. I think that’s my favorite part about the event.”
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer.
Scoop Waukegan
When: 6 to 10 p.m. July 8; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 9
Where: Downtown Waukegan
Tickets: Free
Information: 847-902-6662; www.scoopwaukegan.com