Greetings Fellow Travelers,
The open road has been a bumpy one of late, which delayed some of my travels. But I have returned and would like to talk about an “Alternative Style” car show I visited over the last weekend.
Near the Mississippi River in the Eastern Iowa town of Dubuque, Torque Fest happens every year. I have been attending this event every year since its inception, where it started in Farley, IA and moved around until it landed finally in Dubuque. Torque Fest is a celebration of the early creation of the American Hot Rod and all the culture that comes with it. While traversing the grounds, Bettys are plenty with rock-a-billy setting the soundtrack to the day. The word of event is No-Billet, meaning no fancy bells and whistles.
Most of the proceeds of the event go to a medical fund called Helping Hannah, who is the daughter of the founder, Mr. John Wells. Mr. Wells, the featured man in my drawing today, founded this fest. When I first met him, he was a purveyor of classic car films, using those funds to help his daughter. Now he has graduated to hosting Torque Fest once a year and Iron Invasion, a car show much the same as this event, in Woolstock, IL.
This show has a flavor for all tastes, with old time races ranging from automobiles to motorcycles to chain races, to a swap meet where you can find treasures from a bygone era. Every year in the early days of May, Torque Fest roars and rocks into Iowa, so if you should ever find yourself on the ol’ Mississippi during that time of the year, stop by and find out what this celebration of the past can give to you.
So thank you, Mr. John Wells for another successful celebration. The cars and the Bettys were a sight for sore eyes, with the weather and the soundtrack setting the atmosphere needed to celebrate the contraptions inspired by the past.
From the Open Road,
Lincoln Highway Johnny
To learn more about Torque Fest, visit Vintage Torque Fest.
With it being the season of blowhards and wannabes contending to change America, here is the real candidate for the job! Les Vilda, a historical educator from Wilber, Nebraska, is the candidate for the B.E.E.R, Biologically Engineered Experimental Reindeer…or whatever, party. If he is elected, he will rid this country of its worst enemy, skunked beer.
lincoln highway johnny 