The annual Gateway to the West Days Car Show will showcase a myriad of vintage cars for community members and more to enjoy.
The show will commence Saturday morning during Gateway from 8 a.m. to noon at 17th and Lincoln streets.
Mark Naslund, president of Midwest Early Corvette Club, the sponsor of the show, said the show brings in many onlookers, as well as vintage car owners from around the metro area, including Iowa.
"It's kind of a unique show," he said. "A lot of the participants like the show venue, because it doesn't take up their whole day and they get to display their car and then see a lot of other neat cars."
On average, there are about 90 to 100 participants every year, Naslund said.
"We're hoping for that number again this year," he said.
Naslund said throughout Midwest's years of sponsoring the show, he has seen many car-owners become close friends through their shared love of their vintage vehicles.
"It gives them a chance to sit down and see old friends they don't normally get to see on a normal basis," he said.
One unique aspect of the car show, Naslund said, is it's a show and shine, but there aren't awards being handed out.
"We don't have any classes and we don't have a registration fee," he said. "All we're asking is we'd like to have a $10 donation from all the participants, and that money, we'll use to give donations to the local charities."
The club has donated to the Washington County Food Pantry and Blair Radio, as well as Southeast Community College.
"They have an automotive program for kids that want to be auto mechanics," he said. "We contribute to a scholarship program for them. It's in conjunction with our club being about the enjoyment of America's favorite sports car: the Corvette. The more mechanics we have to work on them, the better."
Naslund said he enjoys being part of the car show each year in Blair.
"I get to see a lot of different cars," he said. "Blair brings in some different ones from that area up in Washington County and even in Iowa. And getting to talk to the people — I enjoy talking to the car owners. Some of them have long histories with their cars, other ones it's what they've done to the car."
