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I usually wait another week or so before I do this yearly schedule of area cruise nights and car shows, but while we didn’t get nailed with a ton of snow this past winter, people in general and car enthusiasts in particular really are tired of the no sunshine, gray days. I’ve been bombarded by all types of correspondence begging me to assemble the 2017 schedule because people want something to look forward to.
Th following list is the most complete and accurate information I have on car-related events for this summer to date.
Please remember, though, to always double check the information I’ve assembled here for you before you head for any doings. Events do get canceled with little or no notice. It’s always smart to contact the email address or phone number accompanying the event date to make sure the event you want to go to definitely is taking place on the day and times listed.
Mondays
The largest weekly Cruise Night in McHenry County takes place on Green Street in downtown McHenry every Monday from May 22 through Sept. 25. Known to car buffs simply as the “Green Street Cruise,” the event draws upward of 300 classy collector cars on a weekly basis. The cruise starts about 5 p.m and goes to at least 9 p.m., but arrive early and stay late. Information: 815-728-0404.
Tuesdays
If you're looking for a cruise night on Tuesday evenings, head on over to the Broken Oar restaurant, 614 Rawson Bridge Road in Port Barrington. It has become a real hot spot for motor heads over the past few years. Runs May 23 through Sept. 26. Information: www.brokenoar.com.
Wednesdays
The honor of longest running cruise night in the county belongs to the city of Cary and takes place weekly from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays from June 7 through Aug. 30 on West Main Street in downtown Cary. Information: www.carygrovechamber.com.
Another great Wednesday night cruise takes place in Marengo and is well-known to the car culture community. It’s called Joe’s Place Cruise Night. It runs from 5 to 9 p.m. through Oct. 25 at Joe’s Place, 19716 E. Grant Highway (Route 20) in Marengo. Information: 815-568-2500.
A favorite eatery of the largest car club in McHenry County, the Northern Illinois Streeters Car Club, is the Pizza House, 4216 N. Johnsburg Road, Johnsburg, which has its very own cruise nights starting at 4 p.m. Wednesdays during the summer. It’s a great locale with super pizza and tons of cars. Information: 815-759-1682.
I haven't forgotten Mundelein's Park on Park Cruise Night. There always are tons of way cool rides. It runs from 5 to 9 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month through Sept. 23 at Seymour and Park streets in Mundelein. Information: www.parkonpark.com.
Thursdays
From 5 to 9 p.m. starting June 1 is Thursday Night Cruise Night at Rookies, 122220 Princeton Drive, Huntley. Information: 847-669-8600.
Also starting June 1 is Barrington’s Cruise Nights. This is a really great cruise night. The event is known for pulling hot exotics such as Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches and Jaguars. This is the 12th year for Thursday Night Cruise, located at the Harris Bank parking lot on South Cook Street in downtown Barrington. Cars start arriving by 6:30 p.m., so get there early for sure. Information: 847-304-3400.
Fridays
Starting May 19 and running through Sept. 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. you’ve got to be in West Dundee to attend Maxwell’s Diners Cruise Night, located on South Eighth Street. Information: 847-551-8888.
Saturdays
Get up early the first Saturday of the month starting in May and head on over to Restoration Unlimited II’s Saturday morning Coffee and Doughnuts Cruise In at 8 a.m. Mark it down on your “cool car things to do” calendar. See first-hand, along with other vintage car enthusiasts, way-cool old rides being restored to like-new condition. It’s like watching the Velocity channel’s restoration series, only in real time.
On the evening of May 27, head on over to the famous Miller Dog n’ Suds drive-in restaurant at 517 Washington St., Ingleside, for its 2017 Summer Cruise In. Get there early because every hot rod, custom and muscle car around will be there. This is the way it used to be in the ’50s and ’60s. That’s why it’s always so popular with gearheads, as well as for its great chow. Information: 847-587-6808.
Car shows and swap meets
May
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 13, Old Mill Creek Car Festival and Benefit, 19588 Route 173, Antioch. Entry fee: $20. Information: 815-321-9896.
May 20-21, Little Hershey Swap Meet & Car Show, Boone County Fairgrounds, 8791 Route 76, Belvidere. Information: www.littlehershey1@gmail.com or 815-979-4514.
June
June 10, Tin Butchers Scrap Drive traditional rod and custom car show and swap meet, Boone County Fairgrounds, 8791 Route 76, Belvidere. Cost: $10. Information: www.thescrapdrive.com.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 11, sixth annual Randall Road House Car Show, 2267 Randal Road, Carpentersville. Cost: $15. Information: 847-836-3300.
June 11, Skip’s Fiesta swap meet, McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 17, Tom Peck 17th annual Classic Car & Hot Rod Show, Tom Peck Ford, 13900 Auto Mall Drive, Huntley. Free. Information: www.tompeckford.com or 847-669-6060.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 18, 17th annual Corvette, Chevy and Street Rod Father's Day car show, 1001 S. Milwaukee Ave. (Libertyville Chevrolet), Libertyville. Information: www.northshorecorvetteclub.org.
June 23-25, Volkswagen Club of America Annual Convention, 2875 Fox Field Road, St. Charles. Information: www.vwclub.org.
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 24, Stallions Gate Mustang and Ford Club presents its All Makes and Models Car Show, Hopkins Ford, 1045 E. Chicago St., Elgin. Cost: $15. Information: www.lionsgate.com.
10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 25, Niko's Red Mill Tavern Car Show, 1040 Lake Ave., Woodstock. Cost: $10. Information: www.jsklasics.com.
July
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 9, Fourth annual Heritage Fair Car Show, downtown Union. Information: 847-515-8110.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 16, 34th annual Fiesta Days Car Show & Swap Meet, Petersen Park, 4300 Petersen Park Road, McHenry. Information: www.fiestadayscarshow.com.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 22, second annual Downtown Huntley Car Show, next to the farmers market on Church Street, Huntley. Information: www.tjsklassics.com.
July 23, Skip’s Car Show & Swap Meet, McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock. Information: www. skipsusa.org.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 23, Gary Lang Auto Group Annual Classic Car Show, Gary Lang Auto Group, 1107 Route 31, McHenry.
August
Aug. 12-13, 27th annual Indian Uprising All Pontiac weekend, Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. Information: www.cruisintigers.com.
Aug. 27, Geneva Concours d' Elegance, along Third Street in downtown Geneva. Information: www.genevaconcours.net or 630-584-3107.
September
Sept. 9, annual Meadowdale Memories & Motorsports Cars Show, Raceway Woods Forest Preserve, Route 31, Carpentersville. Information: www.racewaywoods.com.
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 24, eighth annual Pedals for Paws Car Show, Deicke Park, Route 47, Huntley. Cost: $15 per vehicle entry fee. Information: 630-673-3360.
October
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 1, 24th annual Elburn Lions Fall Classic Car Show, Lions Park, Route 47, Elburn.
Oct. 7, Iron Invasion end-of-the-season hotrod, vintage cycle and custom car bash, McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock. Information: www.ironinvasion.com.
Did we miss your cruise night or car show? Email us the details at lifestyle@nwherald.com to include in future listings.