BRANCH COUNTY — Fair Manager Alyssa Blonde said the pared-down annual Mother’s Day weekend Swap Meet and Car Show will return to the fairgrounds Friday and Saturday.
“(Plans are) coming along really nicely,” she said.
The board sold 130 vendor spots for those who sell parts and services to the vehicle restoration, customization, and collections communities.
“We’re getting a lot of interest and a lot of calls,” Blonde said.
Blonde and fair board members revived the event after the previous organization returned vendors’ checks without comments or explanations this year. Calls to contact the former sponsoring organization were not returned.
A group of former volunteers and supporters met in early March with Blonde and fair board members. They warned that if the 36-year-old event did not take place in 2025, the popular event would die.
The fair board cut the event to two days, Friday and Saturday, with a travel trailer tour group due to take over Sunday for a week-long annual Grand Design RV Rally.
Vendor set-up from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday.
Location:
Branch County Fairgrounds, Coldwater, Sprague and Garfield
Features:
- Car show with classic and custom vehicles
- Swap meet with parts, memorabilia, and accessories
- Craft vendors
- Food trucks
- Raffles
Schedule:
- Friday, May 9: Swap meet from noon to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, May 10: Swap Meet and Car Show from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Flag raising on Saturday at 9 a.m.
- Blessing of the Bikes on Saturday at noon.
Admission:
- $5 per person.
- Children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
Blonde said that those entering the car show and a passenger in a car, truck, or motorcycle get in free.
Blonde said dash plaques are available for the first 250 show cars. “From the calls that we’ve received, people are getting excited. It may not be as large as those in the past, but I think it’s a great base to continue growing again in the future.”
Blonde said, “We are doing well with volunteers.” She said they could use more from the Friday swap meet.
Past sponsors gave the proceeds after expenses to organizations in the community.
Blonde said that this year, the fair board decided to use the funds to replace the sheep barn on the fairgrounds.
The manager said that it could change next year. “We’re starting from scratch. It has been a short turnaround.”
The board spread Information about this year’s show by word of mouth among past participants and some who provided lists of sponsors. “We’re getting great feedback. We’ve learned some things. We are just starting a blank canvas and building from there.”
Blonde said the fair board is committed to the show next year, 2026.
Contact Don Reid [email protected]
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