Naperville event designed for dads who love cars
Classic cars made of Fiberglas and the real deal made of steel both will be prominently parked in downtown Naperville during a new event.
The unveiling of 15 decorated sculptures of classic coupes and convertibles will coincide with the Downtown Naperville Car Show from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 20.
The sculpture program run by the Downtown Naperville Alliance is moving to summer from winter, and leaders wanted to launch it with an automotive-themed event on Father's Day weekend, said Katie Wood, executive director.
That's where the new car show comes in.
About 50 classic cars - as old as a 1938 Cadillac and as new as a 1965 Porsche - will be parked along Jackson Avenue, starting just east of Webster Street and continuing to Eagle Street during the three-hour display.
"I think it's a good idea," said Bill Kohley of Naperville, who will be bringing his juniper green 1954 Chevrolet half-ton pickup to the show. "I just think it's a good gathering to create some interest in the hobby."
While many nearby communities such as Lisle, Lombard and Downers Grove host downtown cruise nights in the evening, Naperville downtown leaders and car enthusiasts decided not to go that route because of congestion concerns.
"We always try to be favorable to the merchants, and doing it early morning enables the parking to be open for the day," Wood said. "We thought this would be a good tie-in also with the reveal of our painted cars that are going to be released that morning."
With a morning show, visitors also have the chance to talk with classic car owners such as Kohley and his wife, Diann, while still fitting in other activities in the afternoon and evening.
"People can show up after they've had their coffee and then leave and go to lunch and have the rest of the day," Kohley said.
While the real classic cars will go home to their garages after noon, the 15 painted sculptures will stay on display until after Labor Day, Wood said.
The sculptures include cars decorated as the Batmobile, an aquarium, Disney cartoon characters, a circus and an ode to 1957 featuring Elvis Presley. Exact locations of the cars along Main, Washington and Water streets as well as Chicago, Jackson, Jefferson and Van Buren avenues will be posted on downtownnaperville.com once the display begins.
Sponsoring nonprofit organizations and businesses have bought the vintage car sculptures, which can be kept, auctioned or given as gifts after the display.
The summer sculpture program represents a return to a Naperville tradition from the 2000s when the United Way displayed outdoor art for eight summers, then auctioned the pieces to raise funds.
The sculptures will be unveiled Saturday rain or shine, but the same can't be said for the classic rides in the show.
"Given how specialized their cars are, if it's a lousy weather day we won't do it," Wood said. "The hope is it's a typical, beautiful, sunny summer morning in downtown and it'll just a be a fun, simple thing to do with Dad on that weekend."
If you go
What: Downtown Naperville classic car show
When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 20
Where: Jackson Avenue from just east of Webster Street to Eagle Street
Cost: Free
Info: downtownnaperville.com or (630) 544-3372