At Jalopy Fest this weekend, you could see vehicles you won't normally see at typical car shows and cruise nights.

Like a fully restored 1934 pick-up truck with a '53 flathead motor, five-speed tranny and '53 Cadillac wire wheels.

Or a 1957 Buick Special, custom painted in white with purple.

"A lot of these (vehicles) are based on what our fathers and grandfathers built in the 1940s and 1950s," said Bernie Meyers, who with his wife, Marci, coordinates the event held annually at the Grundy County Fairgrounds in Morris.

Jalopy Fest is billed as a way to celebrate the traditional era of automobiles. You won't find a 2012 Challenger or even a 1980s Mustang at the event.

"Cruise nights and car shows are great, but this is a different atmosphere," Meyers said. "Here they encourage you to touch their cars."

To be shown at Jalopy Fest, custom cars have to be vintage 1972 or older; hot rods, 1964 or older. Those who display their vehicles, and the people who come to see them, like it that way.

"It's a unique show, there's not many other shows like it," said Kristin Parkinson.

Kristin and Jason Parkinson of Aurora brought their 1957 Buick Special to show at Jalopy Fest, which Kristin said is altogether a different venue than most other shows.

"(The event) encompasses everything," she said, "the music, the people, the cars."

This is the third year for the two-day event, which has grown each year, said Meyers, who owns The Hot Rod Barn just west of Morris.

Years ago there was a similar show at the fairgrounds, but it moved to a different location.  Meyers and some friends decided it was time to get it going again.

"We decided we wanted to keep a traditional hot rod show in Morris," Meyers said. "We wanted to see it keep going."

It's mainly word of mouth and passing out fliers at other car shows that brought in about 300 vehicles to the show this year. That's up about 30 percent from last year, said Meyers.

Each year they've tried to improve the event to keep people interested and coming back. This year they had a 1950s-style pin-up girl contest, a limbo contest for vehicles, and a flame shooter competition to see which vehicle's mega exhaust system could shoot the biggest flame.

"Some of them shoot pretty far," Meyers said.

A JalopyFest Queen was crowned, along with Little Miss Jalopy Fest and Little Miss Degreaser.

Throughout the weekend, there were Rock-a-Billy bands playing in the pavilion, food vendors and swap meets. There was even a bonfire on Saturday night, along with a DJ.

"These people that own these cars are just great," Meyers said. "They are friendly, help each other out and are here to have a good time."

It's a family-oriented event, said Burdette Carter, Grundy County Fair board secretary.

"This thing's going to make it," said Carter. "It's a growing show. They have got something different here."

Jim Talaga of Plainfield displayed his 1934 pickup truck at the event. When he bought the vehicle eight years ago, it had a body and front end, but not much else. He and friend Kenny Jurisic of Seneca rebuilt the truck, from the engine and brakes down to the faux patina finish with airbrushed rust.

JalopyFest is just the kind of venue to which Talaga enjoys bringing the truck.

"It's different than anything else. It's not like going to a regular car show; they've got different stuff," Talaga said. "So I really enjoy coming."