Please join us for the biggest, the oldest, the best antique and classic bicycle show in the country!
MICHIGAN’S ANN ARBOR/SALINE CLASSIC BICYCLE SHOW AND SWAP MEET
April
27, 2008 will be the 28th Anniversary of the Biggest, Oldest, and the
Best Antique and Classic Bicycle Show in the Nation.
This
annual one day event held at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055
Ann Arbor/Saline Rd., Ann Arbor, Michigan, will host over 250 dealers
from across the continent. At last year’s show more than 7,000
Classic, Vintage and Collectible bicycles were on site representing
nearly every major bicycle maker in the last century.
The
$3 admission (kids under 12 free) to the Show provides the public with
a variety of opportunities to participate in the bicycle collecting
hobby like no where else in the nation.
First
and foremost are the Show bikes. Typically, 50 to 75 bicycles are
entered into ten categories and the public votes for its favorites.
Awards are presented to the first place winners in such categories as
Best Unrestored, Best Lady’s, Best Motorized Bike, Best Special
Custom, Best Early Classic, and the Best Bike of each decade 1930
through 1970.
Next
is the “Classic Bike of the Year Award”. This is a judged
event, which focuses on some of the finest, rarest and most sought
after bicycles in the bicycle collecting hobby. All of these bicycles
are from private collections and are seldom seen outside of museums or
auctions. The winner will be crowned “Classic Bike of the Year
2008”.
The
special “Lowrider’s Show” is a real treat for kids.
Al Petri & Sons’ Bicycle Shop of Lincoln Park, Mich.
organizes this event for some 20 customized bicycles. The Lowrider Show
features the magnificent custom work of some of the most talented young
artists in Southeastern Michigan. Each has been transformed from a mere
two-wheeled bicycle into the latest Hi-tech, custom painted, chrome
plated, and upholstered object of grandeur one could imagine. Cell
phones, stereos, tape players are but a few of the conveniences that
have been incorporated into their designs.
This year will also be our fourth year that Frank Mathison will be hosting the: “ THE OLD SCHOOL MINI BIKE SHOW AND SWAP MEET”
This show will feature vintage gas powered Classic minibikes and
Scooters in their own building. Talk about a blast from the past!
Right
about 11:30am, the Show features a poor man’s auction. Anyone who
thinks they may have a valuable or collectible bike can put it on the
block for only $10 and let the crowd decide it’s value. If no one
exceeds the owner’s asking price the bike goes back to the owner
and they’ll get $5 back. The result is an appraisal from the
crowd for only $5.
Besides
all the buying and selling of bicycles there is the giving away of door
prizes. The $3 cost to get into the Show includes a free door prize
ticket. Prizes will be given away each ½ hour. This year 4 new collector bikes (not yet determined) will be given away to some lucky winners. You need to be present to win and you can only get a chance by coming to the show.
This
is a great event for the entire family. The bicycle displays will
surely bring back many interesting memories to all the grown-ups
whether it’s their first bike, their paper route bike, or even
the bike that you got for Christmas. It may even provide an opportunity
to fulfill a dream and finally get the bike you always wanted.
Once
one learns how to ride a bike, one never forgets that first feeling of
freedom and excitement. Here’s a great chance to see what this
great hobby is all about, take some pictures of the bike you had as a
kid and share a great family day together having a unique experience
that only happens once a year. This event is mostly indoors, so rain or
shine the show is on.
Thanks, Paul and Anne Kleppert
Bikeshow@aol.com
248-642-6639