An estimated 115,000 people attended the 2011 Iola Old Car Show.
“Overall, the weather was great, with the exception of a shower late Saturday afternoon,” reported Mitch Swenson, public relations director. “Additionally, Sunday produced a rainstorm in the morning, which affected attendance.”
One of the most popular attractions at the annual car show continues to be the Teamed to Learn Tent.
“We had record attendance for all of the presentations,” stated Fred Beyer, Teamed to Learn educational director. He also serves as master of ceremonies and host for all of the presentations.
Beyer’s highlight of the 2011 car show was when two of his friends, Ann and Tim from Chicago, Ill., joined him to form a three-piece Dixieland combo.
“It was over the top,” Beyer commented. “There was standing room only in the tent. We had a wonderful time.”
“I love getting a crowd motivated,” he added. “Taking it to the next level was really special.”
The trio performed in the Teamed to Learn Tent and at a reception for car show exhibitors. Beyer recorded his first album, The Banjo Buddies Dixieland Band, with the duo in the early 1970s.
A new feature in the Teamed to Learn Tent was a non-dominational church service on Sunday morning. It was led by Dan Fiedler, a minister who gained positive influenced from his shop instructor, Fred Beyer.
“We have a perfect venue to do this at the Iola Old Car Show,” Beyer explained. “There are campers and other people in the area that aren’t near their own church.”
He described the car show service as inspirational and a good “jump start” to the day, with music and coffee.
The Wild Goat
One of the feature presenters at Iola ’11 was Lynn Topliss, who supervised the building of the “Wild Goat” at Goodrich High School, Fond du Lac, in 1962.
Topliss purchased the Wild Goat three years ago with the goal of being able to tell its story.
“I love being able to tell the story of the Wild Goat,” he stated. “Now I need a new goal.”
Topliss recalls coming to the Iola Old Car Show with his father in the 1980s.
“It’s amazing to see how huge and diverse the show has become with all the different foods, more vehicles and a massive swap meet,” he commented.