Costumed children moved between candy bowls and classic cars on Burlington Avenue on Oct. 4, as La Grange held its first West End Trunk-or-Treat Car Show. The event drew roughly 400 people to the block between Waiola and Stone avenues, where 54 owners displayed vehicles ranging from a 1965 Pontiac hearse carrying a coffin to a dune buggy built on a 1965 Volkswagen Beetle chassis.
Susan McMillin, who owns Jack's West End at 712 W. Burlington with her husband Jack, had discussed bringing a car show to La Grange with the village for a couple of years before the event came together this summer, according to the Chicago Tribune. Twenty-five of the 54 participating owners preregistered. Entry cost $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
Costs Outpaced Revenue, But a Nonprofit Payout Is Planned
McMillin said the inaugural show’s expenses exceeded its revenue, with a $500 portable-toilet rental among the larger costs. She said proceeds, if any remain after startup costs, are expected to go to a nonprofit and identified Beds Plus as the likely beneficiary. McMillin expects the show could cover its costs if it returns next year.
The show drew sponsorship support from two local businesses: Greet and Den10 Studio, the latter located at 16 S. Stone Ave. A DJ kept the afternoon lively with music while car owners set up candy bowls for trick-or-treaters making their way down the block in costume.
Hearses, GTOs and a 16-Year Labor of Love
One of the event’s distinctive displays was Alex Butakes’s 1965 Pontiac hearse, complete with a coffin. The Tribune reported that Butakes and his wife have bought and resold hearses for 30 years; a band’s former hearse first sparked their interest, and they have owned this vehicle since they began the hobby.
Tom and Stephanie Posey brought their restored 1967 Pontiac GTO, into which they'd installed front seatbelts and rear shoulder belts. Brad and Carla Carter showed off a 1955 Ford Thunderbird alongside their dune buggy, built with a fiberglass body over the Beetle chassis.
Jim Minton, a lifelong La Grange resident, brought a 1955 GMC100 whose restoration took 16 years. After seeing a similar truck at a car show with his father, Minton paid $1,000 to have this one delivered to his home. He replaced the bed, cab, floors, step bottoms and door bottoms with new sheet metal and patch panels, completing the work in time for the show.
Awards Went to a Toronado, a Buick and a Classic Mustang
Visitors chose Christopher Studwell’s 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado for the people’s choice award. Minton’s GMC placed first runner-up; Tom Hodge’s 1938 Buick took second, and Frank Palella’s 1970 Ford Mustang placed third.
The show adds another gathering to the area’s car-event calendar. In July, the La Grange Park Police Department held its annual car show, with a $25 entry fee for car owners and free admission for spectators.
Community events and a possible beneficiary
BEDS Plus Care’s fiscal 2021 consolidated financial statements describe services in southwest suburban Cook County that include homelessness prevention and stabilization, as well as emergency services. The car show’s potential payout to the organization has not been confirmed, according to the BEDS Plus Care, Inc. fiscal 2021 consolidated financial statements. The Village of La Grange says it supports signature community events in coordination with the La Grange Business Association, including the Craft Fair, Hometown Holidays, West End Arts Festival and Farmers Market, according to the Village of La Grange.
