The 31st annual Quad City Regional Auto Show will have something for everybody, says Susan Shrader, the show’s coordinator.
Some of the features will include:
- A classic sports car worth almost $1 million.
- More than 150 vehicles and about 24 brands.
- A new NASCAR simulator.
- Police cars with canine and taser demonstrations.
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“There are some major markets that have auto shows and cannot say they have 24 brands,” said Ms. Shrader, the longtime organizer. “We are very fortunate to have a network of local dealers that work tirelessly to put on a first class auto show.”
This year’s show will be held Friday through Sunday, Feb. 28 to March 2, at the Bend XPO in East Moline. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for seniors age 62 and over; and free admission for kids under 12.
Here are some of the auto show’s planned activities:
- Saturday: Townsquare Media Day, noon to 4 p.m. – Magic Show, face painting, balloons for the kids, bounce house, kids Matchbox racing and therapy dogs. The East Moline Police Department will have demonstrations with its K-9 Taser.
- Sunday: 101.3 KISS AM Family Day, noon to 4 p.m. – There will be exhibits by Niabi Zoo, Dream Princesses, Spiderman, bounce house, Lego building, contest sign up, coloring contest, balloon artist, face painting, cookies and milk for kids, and therapy dogs. Cousins Lobster Truck will be on site.
“We have expanded our features and entertainment on Saturday and Sunday to make it a premier place for parents to bring their kids so everyone has something of interest,” Ms. Shrader said.
But for many visitors, the cars and other vehicles will be the stars of the show.
“We are positioned to have a really great show. I have one car coming with a sticker cost of $250,000 and the 1965 AC Shelby Cobra will be on display and worth just under $1 million,” she said.
This year’s show also will feature some classic cars including a 1929 Nash coup. “It has a two-coil, six-cylinder engine with two spark plugs per cylinder. It had a real wood dash and mohair seats,” according to the event’s Facebook page.
This year’s show will also present thousands of dollars in scholarships to area students. Proceeds from the show benefit the Iowa–Illinois Regional Auto Show Scholarship Fund. Over the past 31 years, more than $762,000 has been awarded to 230 college bound and trade school students. (Go here for more information on the scholarships.)
