High Plains Auto Club hosts 25th annual Father’s Day Classic car show

The show was held at Five Rocks Amphitheater following a parade through downtown Gering. Although it has become a staple of Father’s Day weekend in the Panhandle, High Plains Auto Club President Curt Schuller said the show’s origins are humbler than might be expected.

“There were 6 guys 25 years ago, car guys, who got together and decided to put on a little car show,” Schuller said. “For about 20 years now it’s been up here at Five Rocks. The City of Gering has been awesome letting us host our show here.”

This year’s show capped out at 325 registered cars, the maximum that could fit at the venue. Schuller said those participants represented 11 different states. Filling up the field at Five Rocks was a perfect way to celebrate 25 years of automotive camaraderie, Schuller said.

“This is one of the biggest shows we’ve ever had,” he said. “We really promoted our 25th anniversary. It’s pretty cool that a club can stick together that long and make that happen.”

The event also featured a Pin-Up & Jr. Greaser Contest hosted by the Rockabilly Misfits to show off the fashion and style of one of the most iconic American eras. Later in the afternoon, every car owner in the show turned their keys and revved their engines together to make noise and celebrate their love of cars.

Schuller said Friday night’s festivities went well, despite a few cars staying covered due to a bit of rain.

Hosting the show on Father’s Day weekend creates an annual bonding experience for families that keeps them coming back year after year, Schuller said.

“It’s amazing, the stories the fathers can tell their kids. Maybe they had this car at one time and can tell the story behind it,” he said.

The Wallaces are one of those families. Dad Rick Wallace and his sons Frost and Bridger, who have attended the show together for around 10 years, look forward to the event and the memories they make together there.

“This is something we do every year as a father/son thing,” Rick Wallace said. “We just enjoy the crowd, visiting with the people out here and looking at the cars. It’s good to see what’s new and reconnect with some old friends that we might only see here.”

The family’s shared love of cars recently inspired Frost and Bridger to buy a 1966 Mustang that they plan to rebuild alongside their dad. The boys said the idea of getting started on the project was both exciting and a little intimidating.

“We’re definitely looking forward to it, but it’s going to take a while,” Frost Wallace said.

Rick Wallace agreed. The project will be a first for him as well, and he’s excited to spend the extra time with his sons.

In addition to hosting the annual car show, the High Plains Auto Club hosts Cruise Nights throughout the year and awards scholarships to students pursuing careers in trades like electrical, mechanical and diesel tech. Schuller encouraged anyone with a love for cars to learn more and join at highplainsautoclub.com.

“If you’re a car enthusiast, we’ll welcome you,” he said.