The Maple Lake Chamber of Commerce welcomes gearheads from throughout the region and state to gather in Maple Lake Saturday for the 14th Annual “Gearhead Get-Together.”
The event is a celebration of everything automotive, and just about any vehicle or invention run by a motor from vintage right up to the present is welcome.
Scott Chantland of Maple Lake was among those who originated the annual event. He says the event’s non-competitive nature has allowed it to become much more than just a “car show.” He says like many festivals, the Gear-Head Get Together has modest roots that date back to the original gathering by his old creamery building with just a handful of friends and fellow gearheads…
“You know, I had this name brewing in my head of Gear-Head Get-Together which really hits the nail on the head of what the event is….just a bunch of gearheads getting together. It really harkens back to that first day in the parking lot of the creamery, and it went from there.”
Scott says the annual event continues to draw visitors from throughout the region, with more and more other states being represented every year…
“It sure seems that way. I know we’ve got some folks driving up from Iowa this year, and again, there’s people that fly in from Florida, Tennessee, Indiana…just to be a part of our event.”
Shuttle buses will be running again this year from the Maple Lake High School parking lot. Any visitors who are not displaying something in the show are encouraged to utilize the buses. Golf carts and ATVs are not allowed except for use by show volunteers. Handicap mobility scooters are approved for those who need them.
Some 24 grand sponsors and some 18 or more other sponsors invite everyone to a day filled with a huge swap meet, a wide variety of vehicles on display, food and beverage vendors and much more.
Live music from Robby Vee and Pull Start Diesel will also be featured. Returning this year is the Powerhouse Mobile Dyno available for visitors to test horsepower throughout the day.
The festival will line the streets in downtown Maple Lake and adjacent areas, and will run from 8 AM to 6 PM this Saturday, August 16th. Admission is free. More information is available at; www.gear-heatgettogether.com.
Tonight (Friday) a “Downtown Pre-Party” will run from 4 to 9 PM hosted by The Butchery. Live music will be a part of the fun from 5 to 8 PM.
