Over the years, the annual Mustang Car Show held at the Volo Auto Museum has been hosted by different businesses. But the intent has always been the same — to celebrate one of America’s most beloved automobiles as well as raise money for charity, said Brian Grams, director of the museum.
Proceeds, including an auction of collectibles, will benefit the Pink Daisy Project, which provides care to young women facing breast cancer. Admission to the Saturday show includes free admission to the museum.
All Fords and Mustangs are welcome. Vehicle owners can pre-register their cars for $15 or $20 the day of the show.
“Mustangs are one of the most popular cars out there — both in the old and the new,” Grams said.
“They’re affordable cars — they’re your performance cars. It’s a middle class luxury so to speak. A lot of people can’t afford a Ferrari or Lamborghini.”
Grams said he once had a red 1968 convertible Mustang.
“It had beautiful lines and beautiful style,” he said.
But he admitted being partial to the Cadillac.
“I ended up getting rid of the Mustang and getting a ’59 Cadillac,” he said.
At the event will be a living, breathing Mustang, actually a horse named Padre who’s being brought from a stable in Wauconda to pose for pictures with owners and their vehicles.
The Mustangs will be broken into classes, with 12 trophies and best of show awarded. Two of the most popular classes are 1969 and older and 2000 and up, Grams said.
At the show, a rockabilly band will perform, and visitors can purchase food cooked on an outdoor grill.
Those who visit the museum can get a free 20-minute train ride, which gives them an orientation to the museum property, Grams said.
“We do that every weekend. It’s an adult-sized train, custom-built in the 1970s.”
During the event, an auction will be held for collectible items, to raise money for the designated charity.
“All the shows we have throughout the year are all charity-driven,” Grams said. “Any time we have a car show here, the money raised goes to a different charity. We’re a family business, and we’re not a corporation. We’re involved with our community. People come here. They recognize us. They know who we are. The community gives to us, so we like to give back.”
At the museum, visitors can go to the evolution of transportation and lodging exhibit — which takes them from 1840 through the 1970s.
Plus, youngsters can visit the children’s exhibit, which features life-sized statues from Disney movies and a Disney Mold-A-Rama where kids can get small replicas of Mickey Mouse and other characters, Grams said.
“We want to bring a smile to everyone.”
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer.
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15th annual Mustang Car Show
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; Rain date Sunday
Where: Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo
Tickets: $9 for spectators, $15-$20 to show
Information: 815-385-3644; volocars.com/mustang-show-2016