Precious Metals

For many Allouez residents there is nothing better than spending a warm summer day under the giant shade trees in Green Isle Park. But for a certain segment of the population this experience is not complete without the presence of precious metals. These are not the precious metals shaped into bracelets, rings and earrings, but precious metals that provide horsepower for work and play.

On June 12^th of this year the Allouez Optimist Club hosted the 31^st Annual Allouez Fest at Green Isle Park. The fest features food, kids’ games, music, and more but the highlight of the event is the Precious Metals Car Show. The show has been a part of Allouez Fest since the beginning.

Vehicles manufactured from 1900 to the present are invited to enter and this year there were twenty different show classes. Several classes were dedicated to cars in original condition or restored to near original condition. These classes are divided into ten year increments. There were also classes for particular makes and models, such as Chevrolet Corvettes and Ford Mustangs. Additional classes were open for trucks and even motorcycles.

Trophies, along with bragging rights for the next year, go to the first, second and third place entry in each class. People who enter vehicles in the show are the voters and they are encouraged to vote for vehicles in the class in which their vehicle is entered. There also were trophies given for Best in Show and for the entry from the longest distance away.

Jeff Erwin is currently the Optimist vice-president, but he is the coordinator for the Precious Metals portion of Allouez Fest each year. Jeff stated that the weather has a lot to do with the success of the show and this year Mother Nature provided a near perfect day. He estimated that up to 2000 people turned out to ogle the 408 vehicles that were entered. He said Brad Lange, Allouez Village Administrator, is an Optimist member and makes the necessary arrangements with the Village regarding usage of Green Isle Park. He also wanted people to know that information on registering a vehicle for next year’s show will be available on the Optimists’ Facebook page next spring.

Trophies were awarded at 3:00 pm. The proud winners were of all ages and genders. What they had in common was that their fellow gearheads recognized the TLC that they provided their “precious metals”. The Best in Show went to Pepper Burruss for his immaculate red 1973 Chevrolet Corvette.

This event is the Allouez Optimists’ second biggest fund raiser and the proceeds go to benefit Allouez youth organizations. Allouez Fest’s goal is to support local youth, but judging by the smiles on the faces of the trophy winners it also brings joy to many adults.