Crowds pack Maple Lake for 13th annual Gear-Head Get Together

For 13 years, motor vehicle enthusiasts known as “Gear-Heads” have gathered in Maple Lake for their annual car show and swap meet. Vehicles from multiple eras lined the downtown streets as crowds of visitors roamed and took in the nostalgia on Saturday, August 17.

The show and swap meet began at 8:00 a.m. and ran until 6:00 p.m. Collectors and dealers mingled with attendees. Some came for a chance to find a unique part or missing piece of history; others came to appreciate the hard work and dedication these collectors have put into restoring and maintaining their prize vintage vehicles. 

Sunlight broke free of cloud cover by mid-morning, shining down on freshly polished chrome and squeaky-clean white walls that caught the eye of on-lookers as they moved amongst the crowds and enjoyed a beautiful summer afternoon.  

Live music added to the festive atmosphere of the day. The Star Chiefs took the stage from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., entertaining crowds with classic rock tunes and a handful of originals. The Everette Smithson Band played from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., laying down groovy Soul and Blues tracks that delighted listeners. 

Food trucks and vendors sold everything from burgers to corndogs to cheese curds and fries.  Grilled pork chops were a popular choice, and of course, a variety of classic sunny-day treats like ice cream and lemonade. There was something to satisfy everyone’s summertime palate. 

The American Wall of Death was a hit. Dare-devil motorcyclists circled the insides of a large wooden cylinder wall at high rates of speed as on-lookers held their breath in amazement. The Wall of Death, described as a “vintage live action thrill show,” where riders performed tricks and acrobatic maneuvers, dazzled crowds young and old as they gasped and cheered in the same breath. No fancy or modern high-tech equipment was needed, these trained professionals performed on antique Indian and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, along with hand-built 4-wheeled racing machines. 

If you’re a fan of vintage vehicles and classic muscle cars, The Gear-Head Get Together in Maple Lake was the place to be last Saturday. “So much more than a car show… it’s where gear-heads get together.”