BROOKINGS — While the Brookings Car Club’s annual show has changed over the past three decades, it keeps coming back: the 33rd annual exhibition is coming downtown on Saturday and to Pioneer Park on Sunday.
“It’s a mini show-and-shine kind of thing,” Christopher Gross, Brookings Car Club president, said of the kickoff downtown from 5 to 9 p.m. “It probably won’t be as big as the Sunday show-and-shine, of course.”
“It’s almost identical to what we did last year,” the president explained. “We used to do a sort of show-and-shine on Saturday afternoon near Nick’s Hamburger downtown, because of the poker run later. This year the 300 block of Fourth Street is blocked off from Ray’s Corner to the west, barricaded on both ends. People can just come and go, hang out. There are supposed to be some specials at downtown establishments around there.”
Returning this year for a second time and at the show both days is the “pinstriping artist” from Benny’s Rod Shop out of Minnesota. “He’s going to do some demonstrations of pinstriping and people can watch him,” Gross noted.
Sunday is the big day. Gates open at 9 a.m. in Pioneer Park. Drive in and park yourself. There’s no charge, and the first 200 entrants get dash plaques. It’s pretty casual. In the past, several years ago, cars used to be parked in an orderly fashion by make, year, make, model and so on. That made it easier for aficionados to gravitate to their favorites, parked side by side, and pass judgement before the judges arrived to pick out the winners.
For the younger drivers, there’ll be the Kids Pedal Car Course, set up on the basketball court.
For spectators who get hungry, food vendors will be there with a variety of victuals to nosh on: Shorty’s Hot Box, Backyard Grill, Mortland’s, and Monkey Business Treats.
Old Souls-Brookings Vintage Auto & Motorcycle Enthusiasts will also be participating. “They’re kind of another car club in town,” Gross said. “Some of them have joined the Brookings Car Club. It’s kind of a joint venture. While it’s still the Brookings Car Club Car Show, some of the Old Souls car people help us with the show.’
Member in the spotlight
Gross explained that over the years the annual car show has frequently had a theme. Often that theme has centered on one or more members, putting them “in the spotlight.”
This year the spotlight shines on Jody Nees: “She’s basically the only kind of official female in the club,” Gross noted. “She took over the treasurer’s job.”
“My love for classic cars started in 1990, when my dad drove my cousin’s Crown Victoria in a parade in Canby, Minnesota,” Ness said. “After that I fell in love with a ‘57 Chevy Bel Air and I knew that someday, maybe when I retired, I’d own one.”
In the search for her dream car, she looked at several fixer-uppers; however, she learned that fixing up a classic car would cost more than her budget would allow.
Then in 2019, her mother bought a 2004 Mustang, and she and other family members began going on car runs together. “Seeing them enjoy their cars made me start looking again,” Ness explained. That prompted her to do another Internet search in 2020 for a restored classic car.
She found a ‘57 Chevy Bel Air for sale at a used car lot in Minnesota. After looking around the lot and listening to a patient salesman, she bought it. And somewhere on the drive home, she named her new prized purchase: “Bernice.” And almost immediately she found unexpected adventure — in this instance challenges — that can come with the owning a classic car: trouble with the fuel pump, the transmission going out and a few other issues.
After a few years wondering if she had made a mistake, she and Bernice settled into a routine. Curious about Bernice, she checked into her lineage and found out that she was the fourth owner. Bernice was originally from South Shore and was later restored in Delphi, Minnesota. Ness also learned that Bernice was built in Janesville, Wisconsin and was No. 177,928 on the production line.
Now the pair enjoy “Friday evenings at Pioneer Park and Wednesday supper runs with fellow car enthusiasts.” Ness added, “At first, it was a little intimidating, joining the group made up mostly of men. I know very little about engines beyond the basics. What drew me to classic cars was always their beauty and style, not necessarily what was under the hood.”
“Car people are some of the kindest, most helpful and friendliest people I will ever meet,” she noted, reflecting on her membership in the Brookings Car Club. “A couple of years ago I was invited to join the Club as treasurer. I accepted the role and now help organize our annual car show.
“As one of only a few women in the club, I hope more women will consider joining us in the future,” Ness said. “Whether you’re an expert mechanic or simply someone who appreciates the beauty classic cars, there’s place for you.”
— Contact John Kubal at [email protected].
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