The Batavia Moose Lodge hosted its fourth annual car show just outside downtown Batavia on Saturday. The event attracted a wide variety of visitors, showcasing both vintage and modern cars. Among the attendees were Lily Sullivan from Carol Stream and her boyfriend, Preston Bernatek from Batavia, who were eager to explore the collection of vehicles displayed in the lodge’s parking lot at 1535 S. Batavia Ave.
Sullivan described her experience as a regular car show attendee, owning an ND Miata, which is both her daily commuter and considered a race car by her insurance. “I attend about six car shows a year,” she said. “I’m drawn to them because people enjoy showing off their cars and talking about our shared passion.”
The event, managed by volunteers like Moose member Marty Hamilton from Elburn, was a hit from the start. Hamilton highlighted the effectiveness of car shows in attracting people, saying, “There are many ways to raise money, but this one works well. People enjoy themselves, and it’s nice to see them engaging in activities together.”
Besides the car exhibition, the show included giveaways, prizes, and food and beverages. It also raised funds for the Mooseheart Kids Christmas Fund. Participants displayed their cars for an entry fee of $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the show. Alissa Roy of St. Charles, the organizer, explained the cause behind the fundraiser, “It’s for kids with no place to go for Christmas. We bring Santa to the lodge, purchase their Christmas presents, and buy necessities for each home.”
In its first three years, the event raised about $25,000.
On average, the show features around 120 cars, representing various makes, models, and years. Roy mentioned, “We’ve had everything from brand-new Teslas and Ferraris to truly fascinating old cars.” The inspiration for the car show came from her fiancé, a car mechanic and car enthusiast.
Roy also shared the excitement behind organizing the event, “It’s just fun. We have lots of raffle baskets donated by local businesses, gift cards, and a popular 50/50 raffle.” She noted that the car shows typically attract around 1,000 attendees.
One participant, John Bonner from Plainfield, exhibited his eye-catching green 2007 Bentley. Bonner remarked, “I bought it like this and would do it again. People stare at it like it’s a green highlighter going down the road.”
Bernatek recounted how his interest in cars began, “A neighbor sparked my passion. Since childhood, I’ve liked cars and played many car video games. In high school, I knew someone with a Camaro. We hung out and drove together, which inspired me to get my own Corvette. We started attending car shows together.”