By Sammi Schenkel, Staff Reporter.
Annually, thousands of people from all over North America come to the small, German rural town to show off their classic cars. This festival started out in the 1983, with an estimated 80 cars at the small parking lot at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, which happens to be a staple and landmark in this community. This year combined had nearly 3,000 cars including the plethora of cars at Zehnder’s park at this festival. Tony D’Anna, Festival Coordinator stated, “from 80,000 to 100,000 visitors” came to enjoy the festival.
Frankenmuth Auto Fest includes many events: from a mile-long block party with a small craft show on Friday, where the owners of the cars can show off the work they’ve put into them to the public, where many food and beer vendors line the street as guests stand in awe of the various models that have revved into town. After that festivity is complete, there are fireworks behind the major hill behind Zehnder’s to kick-off the weekend.
Saturday is the day Heritage Park is open to the public, with a $5 admission fee for anyone 12 years and older, where there are a variety of vendors and sponsors: from carnival food, to flea market sales, to miscellaneous car parts and necessities, to drag star cars, and many other booths to entice everyone from the auto enthusiast to the car newbie. There is of course, as it is Frankenmuth always a beer tent to enjoy.
The final day is Sunday, where the awards are handed out for the Top 25 cars. The ceremony doesn’t start until the Veterans are appreciated and they create a circle around the flag as “God Bless the USA” plays. It was a beautiful sight. The cars were awarded for numerous things, and the main judging benchmark was by “the car you wish you could take home with” and the catagories ranged from sponsors, Sweet Sixties, Sweet N Lows, Fast N Louds, Vintage Tin, etc. Auto Fest also gives out Speciality awards for the cars ranging from sponsors like Auto Value, Bad Luck, Best is Yet to Come– Rat Rod, Ladies Choice, just to name a few.
Some of the cars that were awarded were Best Pin Striping on a 1954 Mercury, Best is Yet to Come– Rat Rod for a 1937 Pick Up, and Longest Distance Travelled which happened to tie between two friends from Maryland with a 1930 Ford Limo and a 1964 Olds Dynamic 88. The Mayor’s Award went to a 1934 Fourd Coupe.
Overall, it was a very successful festival. It always brings huge numbers into Little Bavaria to partake in what Frankenmuth has to offer. Its celebration of 32 years as a festival with a town supporting as it started out as a little engine that could, and now is an engine that could out-race any little festival along its path.