For nearly five decades, one thing car enthusiasts and curious visitors alike could count on Sunday morning of Labor Day Weekend was the chrome and camaraderie among restored and custom vehicles at the Festival on Wheels car show across from the Nauvoo State Park along State Highway 96. How it all began This all started in 1978, when young John McCarty, then a junior at Nauvoo-Colusa High School, was approached with a challenge: could he organize a car show as another activity to the Grape Festival (which itself began in 1938). Young John accepted the challenge, never imagining that it would grow to what it is today.
He also never thought he would still be the chairman of the event 46 years later! That first year there were 23 entries. Today the Festival on Wheels boasts a gathering of around 500 cars from all over the Midwest. A nostalgic love of cars Every year, spectators are treated to a dazzling array of vehicles, each with its own story and a shot at coveted awards.
The festival grew in popularity. In 2002, a record 620 cars filled over two lots and catapulted the annual event to one of the Midwest’s premier cars shows. Over the years, many new attractions have been added, making this event a Labor Day weekend extravaganza.
The Friday Night Cruise in Warsaw and the Saturday AutoFest in Hamilton combined with the Nauvoo car show to become the celebration known as Labor Day Weekend Annual Rolling Up the River. Rev your engines! The super-charged weekend will kick off on Friday, Aug. 30, in Warsaw, which will open its arms and give the entries a huge welcome and a chance to win some of the $1,000 prize money put up by the local Lions Club.
On Saturday, Aug. 31 the spotlight will turn to the Hamilton City Park for the 16th Annual Hamilton Classic AutoFest. The show will feature over 60 awards, a swap meet, 50-50 drawing, vendors and all the beautiful entries.
After the awards ceremony, contestants may drive to Nauvoo to enjoy a chance to pre-register for the Sunday show, grab a meal, visit and enjoy an evening car display where a few prizes will be handed out. This will take place from 4-7 p.m.
at McCarty Art & Design (formerly Outlaw Tees) at 85 N. Iowa St. in Nauvoo.
Sunday: The Grand Showcase Early Sunday morning, Sept. 1, the car show volunteers will bring their smiles and hands to welcome and help park the remaining entries as they roll into town. There will be something for both the casually and fanatically interested in things automotive; from perfectly restored classic cars to full blown customs, from brand new to 100-year-old vehicles, from motorcycles to semis, from monster trucks to low-riders, there is a vehicle for everyone’s taste.
After they all get parked, the contestants themselves will start voting on their favorites. These votes will be tabulated to find out who takes home the “Best of the Bunch” award. Both the Saturday and Sunday events are free to spectators and there will also be several vendors on the grounds to meet your needs.
Grape Panel Jam Art Auction Before the awards are presented on Sunday, there will be the “Grape Panel Jam Art Auction.” Local automotive artists and pin-stripers along with fellow artists from Tennessee, Chicagoland, Central Iowa, Missouri and even Florida will donate custom hand-painted artwork to be auctioned off to raise money for a scholarship fund that was created to help graduating seniors entering an automotive trade school with expenses. Since its start in 2012, over $30,000 has been awarded to several young people throughout the area.
One of the originators of the Panel Jam, Tom Ciolek, passed away shortly after the auction was started so the scholarship name was changed to honor his memory. These artists donate all their time and talent to keep this dream and his memory alive. By the end of the day, over 60 awards and over $3,500 in cash and prizes will be presented to some lucky and deserving entrants.
Many local businesses and individuals make this event possible and allow the Nauvoo show to remain in the premiere category in the Midwest. For an entry fee of $10, participants will receive a dash plaque, a souvenir cup and a chance at prizes and awards. While in Nauvoo, visitors can take a moment to enjoy the River Road, the Nauvoo Grape Festival and Nauvoo’s Historic Sites.
For more information, visit ; call 217-453-6488; or email ..
