Governor Tony Evers has proclaimed July 3rd through 9th, 2022 as Iola Car Show Week throughout the State of Wisconsin.

The Iola Car Show was honored to receive an official proclamation from the Governor of the State of Wisconsin.

Governor Evers, in bi-partisan effort with Senator Joan Ballweg, as drafted by Representative Kevin Petersen, has proclaimed July 3^rd through 9^th of 2022 as Iola Car Show Week throughout the State of Wisconsin and commends this observance to all the state’s residents.

This proclamation comes on the verge of the 50^th Anniversary of the Iola Car Show and Swap Meet, scheduled for July 7^th-9^th, 2022.

What began in 1972 with an invitation from Chet Krause to a few friends, the Iola Car Show has grown to an internationally known and attended event. Always the second weekend in July, the Iola Car Show transforms the small town of Iola with 1,300 residents into a city beaming with over 100,000 people! The car show boasts the largest combined swap meet and car show in the United States, hosting over 2,500 show cars and 4,000 swap spaces. The campground is a town in itself with 1,600 campsites.

The office was alive with handshakes and applause as Rep. Petersen said a few words, honoring the volunteers, staff and board on the longevity, economic impact, and cultural contributions the Iola Car Show has made to the Iola community and to our state over the past half century.

“This special honor is really a testament to the thousands of people who have contributed to this institution over the past 50 years. Founders, leaders, volunteer workers, staff and other participants have helped to build and maintain a legacy with an immeasurably positive impact. The Governor’s recognition of that is an acknowledgement of the importance of that impact in the state,” says Executive Director, Joe Opperman.

This proclamation was signed on December 7^th and delivered by Representative Kevin Petersen in the Iola Car Show office today, December 16^th. In attendance were members of the Board of Directors, staff, community, and media.

Iola Old Car Show, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has directly distributed more than $8.5 million to hundreds of organizations who have contributed to the event, and is responsible for dramatic economic impact for the State of Wisconsin.

If you like stories like these and other classic car features, check out Old Cars magazine. CLICK HERE to subscribe.

Want a taste of Old Cars magazine first? Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter and get a FREE complimentary digital issue download of our print magazine.