BY TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The Northwoods Veterans Post in Merrill kicked off an opportunity for anyone and everyone to show off their pride-and-joy vehicles in an informal, fun car show. But the event, unofficially dubbed “Show Your Wheels,” isn’t just for cars. It also includes trucks, motorcycles, and anything else on wheels anyone wants to bring to the event to show it off, talk about it, and share it with the community.
The event kicked off on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at the Northwoods Veterans Post/Pub 1638 on Johnson St. in Merrill and drew in both exhibitors and spectators, but this first event was just the beginning of what organizers have planned.
“We just wanted to try and do something that would get people to the Post and try to show off our building and how good our food is, so we elected to do a (drive in) car show,” said Codey Schultz, who helped organize the event. There was no fee to enter or for attendees to check out all the vehicles on display.
“I go to a few car shows a year, and with the space we have at the Northwoods Veterans Post, I figured that it would be a good place to have one,” said Corey Dornbrack, who was one of those who helped brainstorm and organize the event.
He advocated for keeping it simple, fun, and easy. “I didn’t want something that was overblown,” he said. “Just something where you can show what you’re proud of.”
“If it has wheels and you want to show it off, this is what it is about,” Dornbrack said.
Of their inaugural event, “we even had a UTV there,” Schultz said.
The event is “also a place that like-minded people can get together and talk about what makes them happy,” Dornbrack said. “With the Post involving veterans and youth, this can be a common ground for them. They can talk about the vehicles, share ideas, and form a friendship.”
“Cars, trucks, and bikes are also what some use to help cope with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and other anxiety,” he said.
At the first event, “We did have a random vote for who had Best in Show in three classes,” Schultz said.
The winners this time around included a 2007 Road Glide for Best in Show in the motorcycle class, a 1969 Ford Mustang in the car class, and a 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Special in the truck class. That truck was also voted Most Unique, Schultz said.
Bragging rights for the Best Paint Job at the show went to a hugger orange 1972 Chevy Nova, he said.
“We appreciated everyone that took time out of their day to come and look and bring their car [or other wheels] down,” Schultz said.
While the initial event started out with a nice selection of vehicles on wheels, organizers see this as just the beginning.
“I’m hoping to see this happening at least monthly, if not every other week,” Dornbrack said. “As long as there is an interest, I feel it can run itself.”
“The scouts and or veterans groups could also have a small fundraiser like root beer floats,” he added.
“[It’s] just an idea to get people together to enjoy their passion,” Dornbrack said.
Watch the Northwoods Veterans Post ads in the Foto News and the Northwoods Veterans Post Facebook page to see when the next Show Your Wheels event will be held.
