Events for Car Enthusiasts in Southern Illinois in Summer 2022

Summer is here, which means you might be on the lookout for fun family activities or weekend getaways. Do you love auto shows, car races, and all things vehicle-related? Car lovers in and around the Marion, Illinois, area are in luck. Plenty of fantastic events near you can make the perfect outing. Here at Ike Honda, we’ve created a list of six excellent 2022 summer events for car enthusiasts that you can check out in the next few months.

Carmi Drag Racing Live Tournament and Shootout

Street Legal Drag Racing, Tromsø by Eivind Lindseth is licensed with CC BY 2.0

Hosted by 660 Grudge Street, an experienced drag racing group, this live, family-friendly event features a professional MC, the opportunity to win door prizes, and even flame throwers. You can sign up to enter the street race-style shootout or simply come by to watch and enjoy the atmosphere. This group hosts races for big tire cars, small tire cars, and drag radial cars.

This event is scheduled for Saturday, August 6, 2022, from 1:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The location is the Carmi Airport at 1379 County Road 1500 N., Carmi, Illinois, just an hour from Marion. Busy that weekend? Not to worry. 660 Grudge Street hosts their live tournament and shootout events regularly, including another on August 20 and on September 10, 2022.

Demolition Derby at the Bond County Fair

If you’re looking for a day full of adventure and family fun, the Bond County Fair is the perfect summer destination. This fair has a carnival, parade, kiddie peddle pull, livestock competition, pageant, and community-building events for agriculture, art, textiles, photography, and dairy. It also features car events galore, from the drive-along parade to the truck and tractor pull. You can also let your destructive side free at the 2022 Bond County Fair Demolition Derby. The first-place winner can walk away with $2,000 and a trophy; the nine runners-up will earn descending monetary award amounts.

This year, the Bond County Fair takes place from August 4 to 9 in Greenville, Illinois. To participate in or watch the demolition derby, stop by the derby pits between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on August 6, 2022. You can sign up to participate for an entry fee of $40, ride along as a passenger for $25, or watch the madness unfold with a $20 pit pass. If you have questions, you may contact superintendent Brian Ulmer at 618-410-3280 or by email at [email protected].

3rd Annual Ranae Helpingstine Memorial Car Show

This judged car show is the perfect opportunity to show off your classic cars and other antique vehicles. You can register for the Ranae Helpingstine Memorial Car Show for just $15 upon arrival and qualify to win the judge’s favor. The car show’s trophy ceremony is at 3:30 p.m. You can also expect a dash plaque if you’re one of the first 75 people to enter, and exciting goodie bag and prize raffle opportunities throughout the day. This event is in conjunction with the 5th Annual Lucky Foot Festival, which offers family fun activities, delicious food, a craft show, and a vendor market.

This event takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on August 6, 2022, in Fisher, Illinois. This makes it a three-hour drive north of Marion, so get ready to pack up the family for a full day of road trip and classic car fun.

6th Annual Thunder in the Park

For the sixth year, the Thunder in the Park Car and Vendor Show will take over the baseball park in Arenzville, Illinois. This show features 24 classes, with trophies for the first place winners, the runner-up, and the best in show. You can expect to see stock cars, modified cars, streetcars, muscle cars, truck stock, modified trucks, rat rods, imports, motorcycles, and semitrucks. The event also includes raffles, vendors, giveaways, and kids’ games, making it a great option for the family.

This event will take place on August 13, 2022. The location is Arenzville Ball Park, 114 State St., about a three-hour drive from Marion. The registration fee for entering is $15 for your first car and $10 for any additional vehicles.

Caffeine and Chrome Gateway Classic Cars of St. Louis

If you’re looking for a completely free event to enjoy, check out the Caffeine and Chrome 2022 car show hosted by Gateway Classic Cars. Not only is there no admission fee, but you can join in the fun and show off your classic car. Even pets are welcome. Coffee and pastries are available for all at this wonderful opportunity to meet fellow car enthusiasts.

This event occurs on the last Saturday of every month, including Saturday, August 27, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 1237 Central Park Drive,
O’Fallon, Illinois. This means you can get there from Marion in an hour and 40 minutes.

17th Annual Children’s Charity Car Show of Southern Illinois

Want to enjoy a family-friendly car event for a good cause? There’s no better event to turn out for than the Children’s Charity Car Show of Southern Illinois, formerly known as the MBS Charity Car Show for Kids. This event includes a silent auction, food trucks, entertainment by Hot Rod Nights, and a car show. There is even a Hot Wheels Derby for kids. The money that this event raises benefits local families experiencing childhood illness and the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.

This event is scheduled for September 17, 2022, in Herrin, Illinois. This is just a 20-minute drive from Marion, making it the perfect quick family outing.

There you have it. We’ve just listed six fantastic events for car enthusiasts that you can check out near Marion this summer. Did we miss your favorite upcoming event? Let us know. You can contact us online or give our dealership a call at 618-422-9020. While you’re at it, check out our fantastic collection of new cars and our inventory of used vehicles so you can pull up to your next car event in style.