The fifth annual Vintage Car Show in downtown Highland Park on Saturday featured more than 200 vehicles from yesteryear as well as several electric vehicles to showcase what the future may have in store.
The EV Showcase was new this year at the expanded four-hour event at St. John’s North Lot, which also featured food and beverages from local restaurants.
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said, “This phenomenal event brings together collectors and enthusiasts from across Lake County. Since 2022, the show has been shaped by Highland Park enthusiast Joe Peddle, who has lent his expertise and passion to grow the show to more cars than ever before.
“New this year, the past and present collide as the city’s Sustainability Advisory Group helped coordinate a peek into the future of automotive history with a showcase of electric vehicles,” she said. “This taps into one of Highland Park’s core priorities, environmental sustainability, and reflects our city’s commitment to pursuing solutions that support long-term climate resilience.
“As with all events in our annual series, the Vintage Car Show brings together Highland Park neighbors and welcomes visitors to the heart of our community,” the mayor added.
Evan and Emily Millman of Philadelphia brought their son Max, 4. Emily Millman grew up in Highland Park and said coming home to visit is “pretty cool for my kid, and me too. It’s been a lot of fun.”
Midways were busy with spectators. Among the rows of gleaming cars was a 1972 Chevy El Camino in Aztec gold, shown by owner Bob Barnes of Highland Park.
“It was a very popular color for Chevys in the late ’60s and early ’70s,” he said. “These cars were built off the station wagon platform, so they really took the back off a station wagon and made it into a little pickup truck.”
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