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Northbrook Historical Society fundraiser hits the road

Shermerfest, the Northbrook Historical Society's top annual fundraiser, typically fills Village Green with, among other things, a classic car display.

The show hits the road this year.

The Historical Society has issued an all-points bulletin to vintage car owners and afficionados to participate in what it calls the Classic Northbrook Caravan, rolling out of Meadowhill Park starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, weather permitting.

Held since 1979, Shermerfest follows only Northbrook Days in tenure among annual outdoor community events. COVID-19 put both of them in its rearview mirror.

Northbrook Historical Society Board President Judy Hughes said antique and collectible cars joined the "old-fashioned country fair" in 2001, Northbrook's 100th anniversary.

Not in 2020, though.

"We just knew that we didn't feel comfortable trying to make an outdoor festival this year, for the people coming to it and the volunteers that work there," she said.

The committee wanted to do something, for the village and to shore up its own reserves in the absence of an event that normally raises a little under $10,000, Hughes said.

A leisurely car parade through central Northbrook was its answer.

Led by board director Ron Bernardi in his 1913 calliope truck, the Caravan will patrol 7 miles of pavement on parts of Walters Avenue, Shermer and Techny roads, Western Avenue, Cherry and Crabtree lanes, Milton Avenue, Church Street and a couple other streets, ending at the Historical Society, 1776 Walters Ave.

"This isn't a usual parade route," Hughes said. "We're trying to hit places where people can safely come to a corner to watch it."

As the Historical Society is the village's "Keeper of the Stories," Hughes produced a Chicago Daily Tribune article stating that on Aug. 29, 1925, some 2,000 motorists drove to Northbrook for a "good roads celebration" to salute the fact that the village then boasted the most miles of concrete roadway "of any like community in the state."

Model-Ts to muscle cars are sought for the Caravan. A minimum $10 donation and signed waiver sheet prior to the event is required, though walk-ups are allowed. Visit northbrookhistory.org, call (847) 498-2319 or email classicnorthbrook@gmail.com.

The Historical Society also is gearing up for its Cow Pie Moo-lette on Oct. 18 and a Facebook Live celebration of Northbrook's 119th birthday on Nov. 15.

"We're hoping to accomplish something that is fun for our community and to let them know that we're here, we care. We're the people that tell the stories of our community," Hughes said.

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