MODEL As IN WISCONSIN
In 1999, we had the opportunity to participate in
the 37th Annual Model A Ford Reunion in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. The event is
sponsored by the four Model A clubs in the state; the Wisconsin Chapter and Central
Wisconsin Chapter of MAFCA, Wisconsin Region of MARC, and the Nickel "A" Region
of MARC/MAFCA. It is called the greatest gathering of old Ford enthusiasts in
Wisconsin. the weekend is a casual gathering of friends who enjoy the Model A Ford.
On Thursday, July 22, we left for the approximate 1,000 mile trip to Wisconsin Rapids.
Early on Friday, we arrived at the clubgrounds where the event is held. The
clubgrounds is owned by the Central Wisconsin Chapter. Partially wooded areas are
available for camping and an open area is used for activities. A clubhouse provides
a community kitchen and an area to congregate. We received our
participation ribbons required to partake in all the weekend activities. Because it
was still apart for its engine rebuild, we were unable to take our 1931 Ford Deluxe Tudor.
However, we found out that a 1929 Ford Tudor was registered in our name by our
Wisconsin friends who chaired that year's event. We signed up for the mandatory hour
of service that all participants are requested to fulfill sometime during the weekend.
Unlimited refreshments were provided free to registered participants over the
entire weekend. A bevy of newly donated playground equipment was available to keep
all the kids happy and raffle tickets were sold for a variety of prizes.
We proceeded to set up camp and enjoy the beautiful Wisconsin countryside. People
continued to arrive throughout the day. Some people camp at the clubgrounds while
others prefer to stay in the area motels. An auction was held on Friday night at the
clubhouse where participants bidded on a variety of automotive and non-automotive items.
Fresh popped popcorn was handed out to those at the auction and over $800.00 was
raised to offset the cost of next year's event. the evening air cooled considerably
and provided for comfortable sleeping.
SATURDAY
Registration continued on Saturday morning and eighty-two Model A Fords would eventually
be parked along the edge of the activities field. Nearly every type of Model A was
represented, including closed cars, open cars, trucks, speedsters and a replica taxi.
While most participants were from Wisconsin, there were also participants from
Michigan, Florida, California, and Maryland.
After breakfast, Di joined other participants in an
era fashion show. Being her first such event, she was extremely nervous as she
modeled for the judges and answered their questions. a large cookout was held for
lunch that included potluck dishes provided by the participants. The air smelled
delicious as volunteers from each club prepared hamburgers and hot dogs on large outdoor
grills. A Model A tour of the surrounding area was held after lunch which included
sights of the Wisconsin River and the many evergreen forests.
Upon returning from the tour, those cars to be judged were parked in a special area to
wait for examination by the volunteer judges. The younger participants meanwhile
participated in a series of fun Kid's Games. Many of the ladies participated in a
seminar called "This Lady Drives a Model A Ford". Experienced Model A
drivers took the ladies out in their cars to teach them the art of driving a Model A Ford.
Di (who is only 4' 11") did quite well despite the fact she couldn't reach the
accelerator in the 1930 Roadster she was driving! We went to town for Saturday
dinner and returned in time for the Saturday night dance. A very talented DJ played
a wide assortment of songs that kept young and old alike dancing into the early hours of
Sunday. We asked our friend to keep an eye on our girls for a while (who were busy
dancing the night away) as Di and I stole away in the 1929 Tudor for a beautiful midnight
drive.
SUNDAY
On Sunday morning, you could hear Model A engines being tuned and adjusted for the car
games. The first contest was the Slow Drive. My first attempt was commendable
and moved me into the second heat. however, during the second pass, I was eliminated
when the car stalled near the finish line. I joined other cars that didn't make the
finals of the Slow Drive down a path in the woods to compete in other car games such as
Center Bumper, Bulls Eye, and Blind Line.
Another large and bountiful cookout was held for lunch, which was followed by the Chapter
Team Events. Representatives of the four sponsoring Model A clubs competed for their
chapter or region. These events included a Trailer Push and Beanbag Competition
executed with Model As traversing a course on the activities field. Di and I found
out that our name had been placed on the competitor list so we represented the Wisconsin
Chapter, of which we are members. The last event of the day was the Rolling Pin Toss
for the ladies.
The awards for the games, car judging, and Hard Luck was given out Sunday evening.
Our youngest daughter Brittani won a second place ribbon for the Pop Bottle Toss and a
third place ribbon for the Lug Nut Toss. Shannon, our oldest daughter, won a second
place ribbon for her participation in the Ski Race. The Ski Race involves two board
with ropes and three people for each team. Coordination and teamwork is a must for
this event. Di won first place in the Rolling Pin toss and a Certificate of Merit
for her era fashion. She also received a patch for the "This Lady Drives A
Model A Ford" seminar. In the chapter games, we placed fourth in the trailer
push but won a second for Wisconsin Chapter in the Bean Bag Contest. The awards
presentation was followed by the drawings for the men's and woman's raffle. A lady
unknown to us won a beautiful handmade cradle in the woman's raffle and then gave it to
Brittani and Shannon to keep. The awards ceremony ended the official weekend for
most participants. Most of the people packed up and were headed home before night
fall. Several of us remaining opted for a swim in a nearby lake to cool off before
supper
On Monday morning, we packed up and helped to clean the clubgrounds. After
breakfast, we traveled to Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin to spend several highly enjoyable
days with our friends that chaired the Reunion. We greatly enjoyed the Wisconsin
Rapids Model A Reunion and planned on returning the next year!
2000 Reunion
As planned, we made it back to Wisconsin for the 38th Annual Wisconsin Model A Reunion
held on July 28-30, 2000. This year we took our 1931 Deluxe Tudor along to the
event. It was another great weekend of fun and events! Di won two first places
in the Woman's Class of the Car Games; the Center Bumper and the Bulls Eye
competition. She also received an Award of Excellence for her Model A era fashions
in the fashion show. Shannon decided to skip the Kids Games his year, but Brittani
brought home a First Place trophy for the Lug Nut Toss. Our 1931 Deluxe Tudor
represented Wisconsin Chapter in the Chapter Games and received fourth place in the
Trailer Push and second place in the Bean Bag Competition for the club.
2001 Reunion
We made it back to Wisconsin for yet another fun filled reunion! Again we took our
1931 Deluxe Tudor to the event. The weather was great and nearly 100 Model As of all
types showed for the weekend. A group of Models As from Missouri spent Saturday at
the event before moving on with their tour. This year Di won a second place in the
Center Bumper Contest and another Award of Merit for her Model A era fashion she wore in
the fashion show. Brittani decided to forgo the kids games but Shannon won a
fourth place ribbon in the games. It was another great reunion with great friends
and Model A Fords!