Revving Up for the Homestead Festival Car Show: A Showcase of Automotive Brilliance

The Homestead Festival Car Show in Princeton, Illinois, has once again captivated the hearts of automotive enthusiasts, showcasing a dazzling array of vintage, classic, and modern vehicles. The event, held on September 8th, 2024, was a true celebration of the passion and craftsmanship that goes into these beloved machines.

Unleashing the Power of Automotive Artistry

Honoring the Legends: Mayoral and Steering Committee Choices

The Homestead Festival Car Show was a testament to the enduring allure of classic automobiles. Among the standout winners were Mike Peterson of Port Byron, who was named the Mayor's Choice winner with his 1972 Chevrolet K-20, and Larry Kohr of La Salle, who took home the Steering Committee Choice award for his 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle convertible. The prestigious Bill Wirges Craftsman Award was presented to Ron Bernard of Marseilles for his meticulously restored 1959 Studebaker Silver Hawk.

A Parade of Automotive Eras: Class Winners Unveiled

The car show was divided into various classes, each showcasing the unique charms of vehicles from different eras. In the Antique-Pre 1959 category, Bill Duncan of Sterling took first place with his 1959 Chevrolet Impala, while John and Becky Kehoe of Mendota impressed with their 1930 Ford Model A Coupe. The Restored/Original 1960-1969 class was dominated by Larry Roth of Colona and his 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396, followed by Jim Knight of Ashton and his 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1.

Muscle Car Madness: Restored/Original 1970-1979 Standouts

The Restored/Original 1970-1979 class was a true showcase of automotive muscle. Bud and Kim Cruse of Dixon claimed the top spot with their 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1, while Mike Tara of Tiskilwa and his 1970 Ford Mustang and Rick Robinson of Davenport with his 1972 Dodge Challenger rounded out the podium.

Embracing the Modern Era: Restored/Original 1980-1989 and Beyond

As the decades progressed, the car show also celebrated the beauty and innovation of more recent automotive designs. In the Restored/Original 1980-1989 class, Keith and Teresa Haga of Galva took first place with their 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS. The Restored/Original 1990-2015 category saw Drea Sluis of Henry and her 2014 Dodge Viper SRT claim the top spot, while the Restored/Original 2016-Present class was dominated by Jim Reynolds of Streator and his 2017 Dodge Challenger T/A.

Unleashing the Need for Speed: Race Cars and Pro Street Machines

The Homestead Festival Car Show also paid tribute to the adrenaline-fueled world of race cars and pro street machines. Walt Brandt of Sterling took the top honors in the Race Car/Pro Street class with his 1967 Oldsmobile 442, while Linda, John, and Dana Glenn of Port Byron impressed with their 1963 Chevrolet Nova II.

Corvette Royalty: Celebrating the Iconic American Sports Car

No car show would be complete without a dedicated class for the legendary Chevrolet Corvette. Larry Evoskis of Spring Valley claimed the top spot with his 1966 Chevrolet Corvette L72, while Keith Smith of La Moille and his 1961 Chevrolet Corvette and Craig Jenkins of Clinton with his 1979 Chevrolet Corvette L82 also earned recognition.

Embracing Global Diversity: The Allure of Imported Vehicles

The Homestead Festival Car Show also celebrated the global diversity of the automotive world, with a dedicated class for imported vehicles. Bill Garthe of Peru and his 1980 Datsun 280 ZX took the top prize, followed by Karl Wollerman of Sheffield and his 1987 Mitsubishi Conquest.

Honoring the Craftsmanship of Street Rods and Modified Classics

The car show also recognized the exceptional craftsmanship and creativity of street rod and modified classic enthusiasts. Lauria Bass of Fulton and her 1929 Ford Roadster claimed the top spot in the Street Rods class, while Tom Danhof of Sparling and his 1956 Chevrolet 210 dominated the Modified Pre-1959 category.

Celebrating the Diversity of Truck and Jeep Enthusiasts

The Homestead Festival Car Show also embraced the diverse world of trucks and Jeeps. Mike Peterson of Port Byron once again made his mark, this time with his 1972 Chevrolet K-20, which won the 4x4 Trucks class. Tyler Thompson of Princeton impressed with his 1946 Willys CJ in the Jeep category, while Gary Daniel of Peoria took the top spot in the 2-Wheel Trucks class with his 1954 Chevrolet COE.

Honoring the Unfinished and the Unconventional: Rat Rods and More

The car show also celebrated the unique charm of unfinished projects and unconventional creations. Dalen Fillenwarth of Princeton and his 1971 Plymouth Barracuda claimed the Unfinished class, while Kyle Jackson of Princeton and his 1941 Chevrolet Pickup took the top spot in the Rat Rod category.

Revving Up the Motorcycle Enthusiasm: A Diverse Showcase

The Homestead Festival Car Show also paid tribute to the world of motorcycles, with various classes showcasing the passion and craftsmanship of two-wheeled enthusiasts. Brian Walters of Princeton and his 2005 Harley Fat Boy claimed the Modified/Custom Motorcycles class, while Korey Rokey of Princeton and his 2013 Harley Street Glide took the top spot in the Touring Mixed Motorcycles category.