Palatine OKs dueling car shows on Fridays

Local classic car enthusiasts will have to choose between simultaneous weekly car shows this summer in Palatine.

The village council this week approved the Palatine Muscle Car Association's proposal to move its downtown gathering from Sunday afternoon to Friday evening, the same time another show gets under way farther north at the former Menard's parking lot on Rand Road.

Resident Brian Bending said the downtown car show, entering its second year, will feature 50 to 150 classic cars and live entertainment near Slade and Greeley streets. It will run from 4:30-9 p.m. Fridays, May 4 to Sept. 28.

He said the event had a strong debut last summer, only for attendance to taper off dramatically. Saturday nights conflicted with many members' schedules, so they decided Friday was best.

BMO Harris Bank gave the group permission to use its parking lots for spectator parking, and attendees can also park in the Smith Street commuter lot as cars clear out.

Village Manager Reid Ottesen doesn't expect the show to interfere with restaurant parking given the nearby parking garage, though he did say additional conditions could be imposed after a 30-day review.

“We're confident they have the volunteer commitment to make this a successful event downtown,” Ottesen said.

Not everyone was thrilled with the council's decision, however. Zach Steffens, the owner of the Palatine Culver's restaurant, said the downtown event is bound to hurt the car show he has on the north side of the village.

“I support them having another car show in Palatine,” Steffens said. “I believe it brings more people into the village and helps the surrounding businesses.

“That being said, I don't think two shows on one night would benefit as much as it would conflict with one another.”

Steffens approached Bending about combining and cross-promoting shows since the former Menard's, currently leased by Wolff's Flea Market, can accommodate more vehicles. He said there's been up to 300 classic cars on display at his show. But the Palatine Muscle Car Association wasn't interested.

“Quite honestly, it doesn't benefit us (to combine shows),” Bending said. “Really, our vision is to bring something to downtown Palatine.”