Kilbeggan revs up for annual visit of Americana on wheels
Now in its 25th year, the biggest (the only) all-American car truck and bike show returns on Sunday April 27, the weekend after Easter, when Kilbeggan will rumble to the sound of V8 engines.
The All American Car Truck and Bike Show, as bold and brash as ever, brings fun and Americana, to the grounds opposite Kilbeggan Racecourse from 11am.
American cars, pick-up trucks, big rigs, vans, fire engines, huge RVs and motorcycles from across Ireland, the UK and abroad will be there. Some UK attendees have told the organisers they plan to stay for the week to tour Ireland in their classic American vehicles.
Among the 300 American vehicles that regularly attend are Harley Davidson motorcycle, Kenworths, Peterbilts, Internationals, Macks and Freightliners, fire engines and pick-up trucks old and new – Ford, Dodge and Chevy pick-up trucks are perennial favourites.
There will be Mustangs from the 1960s to the modern age, Camaros, Firebirds, Buicks, Pontiacs, Chryslers, Chevrolets, Cadillacs and Lincolns.
A peculiar American tradition, the Day Van, has been more evident in recent years. A Day Van is a large van with a plush interior and comfortable swivelling seats – not a camper van, but a luxury van purely for everyday outings, relaxing in and chatting to friends at a social event like a car show.
Entry is still only €10 entry (cash) for adults and accompanied kids under 14 go free. Gates open at 11am.
American show cars, trucks, vans, pickups and bikes and occupants go in free and from 9.30am.
Lots to do
It is not a static show and there is always lots to do. There is American theme music all day and this year the theme is 70s American rock – tunes you haven’t heard for a long time, or even ever.
A regular visitor is the turntable ladder fire engine from Glen Cove in New York which saw service at 9/11 in 2001. The ladder extends to 30 metres can shoot water 100 feet int the air.
A 1969 Cadillac Eldorado two-door coupe was reportedly purchased by Elvis Presley and gifted to an assistant; apparently the Cadillac has some provenance to prove it and will be an interesting exhibit.
The popular drawing classes for the kids return and a professional art teacher will bring out their creative side to draw a whole or a detailed part of an American vehicle. That keeps kids, and parents, entertained for hours.
Also on the creative side, the Midland American Auto Club, who host the show, encourage vehicle owners to make showboards for their classic Americans explaining the vehicle.
The show boards are a great way to inform visitors. There will be a prize for the best showboard.
There will also be an outdoor and indoor autojumble and automotive related vendors inside the sheds.
There will also be a great selection of food and coffee trucks to cater to most tastes.
Non-American vintage vehicles are invited to park in a reserved area in the public car park near the showfield entrance so owners of non-American classic cars can also take their older cars, lorries or vans out for a run to the show. There will also be disabled parking near the showfield entrance.
A new design of show T-shirts based the show poster will also be on sale.
More information is available at Facebook; Instagram, TikTok, or speak to Joe Keenan (club chairman) 087 238 8400 for trade stands, Noel Dillon (club secretary) 087 226 7070, and Nick Stratta (club PRO) 085 828 9922 for general information.
About Midland American Auto Club
The Midland American Auto Club (MAAC) are a large group of American car and truck enthusiasts who share a passion for owning, restoring and maintaining American vehicles.
Based in Kilbeggan, (opposite the Kilbeggan Racecourse), the club meet every Thursday 7.30-10pm in the summer and every other week in the winter. All are welcome, members and non-members.
More information is available on the club Facebook page.
The founding members can be contacted on 087 2388400 or through the club PRO Nick Stratta on 085 828 9922.