Workers put together displays on Wednesday, March 1, at the Bend XPO, 922 Mississippi Parkway, East Moline, in preparation for the 29th annual Quad City Regional Auto Show. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
The 29th annual Quad City Regional Auto Show is taking shape. The show, which will be Friday through Sunday, March 3-5, at the Bend XPO, 922 Mississippi Parkway, East Moline, had a small army of workers putting together the Bend XPO show area on Wednesday afternoon, March 1. In the middle of all that work, […]
The 29th annual Quad City Regional Auto Show is taking shape.The show, which will be Friday through Sunday, March 3-5, at the Bend XPO, 922 Mississippi Parkway, East Moline, had a small army of workers putting together the Bend XPO show area on Wednesday afternoon, March 1.In the middle of all that work, John Brewer of Davenport drove in the first car to be displayed in the show – a classic 1932 Auburn. The car is one of several classic vehicles that will be displayed by the Antique Automobile Club of America.The first auto to move into the Bend XPO for this year’s Quad City Regional Auto Show. was this 1932 Auburn. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON“It’s a great one. I have another Auburn I’m going to move in,” said the Davenport man after he moved his car into place on Wednesday.Wednesday was “Freight Day” in East Moline as many workers were kept busy bringing in equipment needed for the show. A few cars were scheduled to be in place by the end of the day, said Susan Shrader, the local show’s longtime event coordinator.“It’s been going great. No hiccups. So, we love that,” she added.Some of the show’s main features will include showing the public some of the latest vehicle models, including the 2024 Ford Mustang. “Everybody’s pretty excited about that,” she said.Another big point of excitement is that there will be more vehicles on display, compared to last year because many dealers and makers are no longer facing inventory shortages.“We have a lot more inventory this year. … Everybody’s excited this year to see the vehicles,” Ms. Shrader.
Here are some of the details to the show:
The show hours will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission will be: $10 for adults; $5 for seniors; and free admission for children 12 years old and younger, when accompanied by an adult.
The show will feature 23 manufacturers, more than 150 vehicles, a Toyota NASAR simulator, petting zoo, airbrush tattoos, balloon artists and much more.
People can meet the QC Storm mascot “Radar” and therapy dogs.
In addition to the autos, the show raises money for student scholarships. This year, $51,000 was raised for 14 students. Those scholarships and students were:
College/university scholarships:
Anne Turpin, Geneseo High School, $5,000.
Raymond Wiese, Moline High School, $3,000.
Deven Stief, North Scott High School, $4,000.
Nicholas Koustas, Geneseo High School, $3,000
Ella Zillmer, Bettendorf High School, $4,000
Abbey Smith, Davenport West High School, $3,000
Ashley Smith, Davenport West High School, $3,000
Megan Lindsly, Central DeWitt High School, $4,000
Mercedes Hantz, Rock Island High School, $3,000
Automotive/tech/trade school scholarships:
Jason Blick, Geneseo High School, $3,000
Carson Miller, Galena High School, $4,000
Noah Van Damme, United Township High School, $3,000
Jade Bovee, United Township High School, $4,000
Dalton Koenig-Plath, Mercer County High School, $5,000
To date, the auto show has awarded more than $632,000 in scholarships to 192 area students in the last 29 years. Proceeds from the show support the scholarship fund.
