It’s almost time to kick the tires, take a test drive and have some fun at the upcoming Quad City Regional Auto Show.
The show, which will be Friday through Sunday, March 1-3, at the Bend XPO in East Moline, will have added features and more cars and trucks for visitors to look over this year.
“This is our 30th anniversary and we have added many features to make this show special and we have something for everyone. We’ve extended family entertainment over all three days,” said Susan Shrader, the show’s event coordinator.
The main feature of the show, of course, will be the new cars and other vehicles. The show will have more than 150 new vehicles representing 23 manufacturers, she added.
The show hours and admissions fees are:
- Friday, March 1, open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The show admission fee on all days is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors (people over 62 years old), $5 for children ages 7 to 12; and free admission for younger children. This is a cashless show. Only credit and debit cards will be accepted for admission fees.
- Saturday, March 2, open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sunday, March 3, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All proceeds from the auto show go directly into an endowment which is administered by the Quad Cities Community Foundation. The Auto Show has given more than $686,000 in scholarships to 205 area students. Last year, the show raised $51,000 for 14 students. Read more about the scholarship program here.
In addition to the vehicles on display, there is an Educational Expo on Friday, March 1, at the show. This is a collaboration with dealers, manufacturers and local school districts. The expo is designed to bring awareness to the career opportunities available in the automotive industry and to help spark interest in younger students as they look toward high school and beyond.
Area students in the eighth grade will be bussed to the show where their time is divided between looking over the show and participating in the expo. There will be several stations for students to have hands-on experiences. Activities include exploring virtual and full-scale interactive engine models, trying collision repair techniques, conducting an analysis of quality tires and treads to determine a recommendation and other workstations.
Here are some of the other activities scheduled for the three-day show:
- There will be a Ride and Drive with vehicles from Subaru and Ford that show guests can drive without sales pressure.
- Toyota NASCAR Simulator available all days.
- Midwest Corvettes Club will display up to 20 Corvettes.
- Quad City British Auto Club will show vehicles.
- Bounce house available all weekend.
- Subaru and Humane Society will host pet adoptions.
- Therapy dogs present all three days.
- Military tribute display.
- Magic show, balloons and face painting.
- Appearance on Sunday by Miss Illinois Jessica Tilton.
- Sunday is KISS FM 101.2 Family Day.
