Car show returns Saturday

Talk about it

Classic cars of nearly every vintage and a few more modern models will be on display Saturday at the Dakota County Fairgrounds.

The Southern Cruzers car club will bring its Summer Spectacular to town this weekend for the eighth straight year. The show, which started at Lakeville’s Alimagnet Park, moved to the fairgrounds in 2005 after it outgrew its original location. It’s billed as one of the largest trophied car shows in the metro area

“It’s always been right around the 400, 450 car kind of show,” said Jim Neher, one of the Southern Cruzers members in charge of putting the whole thing together.

The Southern Cruzers give out about 80 trophies in 22 categories. There will be a Best in Show award voted on by participants and spectators.

Most of the cars that will show up Saturday are stock vehicles from the 50s and 60s, but there will be a wide range of models on display.

“There will be a lot of street rods, a lot of street machines from the 60s and early 70s,” Neher said.

There is also a popular buddy class that has room for cars from the 1900s right up through a 2012 Mustang or Camaro.

Neher has been interested in cars since he was 12 and worked on his brother’s 1936 Plymouth. When he was 18 he bought a 1970 Chevy Nova. His wife has a 1968 Camaro convertible that they take to shows.

Neher is in his fourth year on the Summer Spectacular committee.

The day won’t be all about cars. There will be a craft fair that usually draws 12 to 18 vendors. There will be a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. and a trolley to haul people around the grounds.

The event also does good for the community. Last year the Summer Spectacular raised $8,000 for local charities and in the seven years it has taken place at the fairgrounds the Southern Cruzers have donated $65,000. Much of that has gone to fund scholarships for the automotive program at Dakota County Technical College.

Tags: news, farmington, community