Thursday morning, I took my little man to one of my favorite childhood events: the Iola Old Car Show. This event is a car lover's paradise, boasting 2,500 show cars, 4,000 swap spaces, 1,600 campsites, 350 for-sale car corral spaces, and some good food. With free parking, free admission for children 12 and under, and affordable fun for the whole family, it’s an event you don’t want to miss.

As we pulled into the car show, I quickly realized that not all the parking was free, despite the lack of clear signage. We ended up paying $20 for parking, which, while not a big deal, felt a bit sneaky. Nevertheless, we parked and headed to get our tickets. The line was long, but thanks to a tip from another attendee, I quickly bought our tickets online. For $20 per adult, with kids 12 and under free.

Once inside, the sheer scale of the event hit us—cars, people, and vendors were everywhere. We made our way to the main drag, which this year was dedicated to muscle cars. As you’ll see in the photos and videos, there were muscle cars galore, each with its own unique style. We also saw some famous movie cars like Herbie, the Back to the Future DeLorean, and the Dukes of Hazard General Lee. Herbie even had a little trick up his sleeve, honking and spitting water at unsuspecting onlookers. My son took a hit, and we both had a good laugh, along with everyone around us.

As we explored, we came across a tent with a huge line. Curious, we joined the queue and discovered that Henry Winkler, "The Fonz" from Happy Days, was there along with a few other cast members. The Fonz was incredibly generous with his time, signing autographs and chatting with fans. My son didn’t recognize him, but after showing him a poster from back in the day, he had a vague recollection of the show.

The event was massive, and we did a lot of walking, admiring the endless rows of cars and chatting about our favorites. We also found vendors selling everything from car parts to tools, and there was a swap meet area that seemed to go on forever. We even saw pinstriping classes in action.

When it came time to eat, we noticed some food vendors offering smash burgers for $20 and up, with fries costing $15. While they looked delicious, we opted for the more reasonably priced food stations set up by the event. People watching was another highlight, and we got a huge kick out of a guy walking around with a baby alien on his chest.

We wrapped up our day by checking out the main stage, where Rising Phoenix was rocking out despite the heat. They didn’t miss a beat, and it was a great way to end our visit.

The Iola Old Car Show is a fantastic event and an even better way to spend a day with my son. We made memories that will last a lifetime, and I can't wait to go back next year.

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