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Television, Movie Stars and Hot Rods to be Featured at the 39th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Rod and Custom Car Show

Monticello, Iowa – It’ll be cars and stars when KCRG TV9 presents the 39^th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Rod & Custom Car Show, February 23^rd and 24^th at the Monticello Berndes Center.  The show which is one of the longest running custom car shows in the mid-west will feature a display of beautiful custom cars, trucks and motorcycles all competing for the Budweiser trophies and Hardee’s cash prizes.  “This will be the thirty–second year that Budweiser has sponsored our trophies while Hardee’s has been involved with the show for twenty-two years”, said Galen Muller, spokesman for the show. “The kind of loyalty, plus the great support of the fans who visit the show each year, are two of the reasons why the show is still running strong and attracts a loyal following as well as great new fans after all these years”.

In addition to the great new selection of hot rod cars, trucks and motorcycles that will be on display, visitors to the show will also have a chance to meet two of the real icons of television and motion picture industry, Butch Patrick and Paul Le Mat.  Admittedly, the name Butch Patrick may not be that familiar, but the name Eddie Munster certainly is.  Butch played Eddie on the famous Munster television show and will be making his first appearance at the car show this year.  Known as a real “car guy” himself, Butch played Eddie during the two-year run of the show in the mid 1960’s.  Remembered as the little boy with the widow’s peak hair who almost always carried his favorite toy with him, a werewolf doll that he called “Woof-Woof”.  Eddie was part of your normal, red-blooded American family that became part of the American culture from 1964 to 1966.  In addition to his stint with The Munsters, Butch has also play in more than a dozen movies and has made guest appearances on several prime time television shows.  He is also subject of a new biographical book that talks about his years as a child star on The Munsters as well as sharing stories about some of the other stars of the show.  Eddie won’t be the only star appearing at this year’s show either.  He will be joined by Paul Le Mat, one of the stars of the legendary movie, American Graffiti.  Paul played John Milner in the movie that defined a generation and will be making his second appearance at the Monticello show.  Both shows, “The Munsters” and American Graffiti”, featured unique vehicles that have become part of the American car culture.  The Munsters Koach was designed and built by George Barris the “King of the Kustomizers”, while the 1932 Ford that Le Mat drove in the movies is often credited with reviving the hot rod craze in America.  Paul, who loves hot rods, has a new DVD out called “Hot Rods Across America”.  The two stars will be at the show both days, appearing from 1:00 to 5:00 P.M. and 7:00 to 10:00 P.M. on Saturday and from noon to 4:00 P.M, and 5:00 P.M. to: 6:00 P.M. on Sunday.  They will be available for photos, autographs and general conversation and every visitor to the show is entitled to one free autograph form each star.

As in past years, the show will also feature music and entertainment provided by the 3-D Sound Company with disc jockey and show commentator, Dave Palmer.  Magic Mark the balloon guy, will be there to entertain and amaze the children and everyone will be able to participate in the popular model car contest.  One of the great traditions of the show will continue when visitors are encouraged to vote for the favorite car and motorcycle to see who wins the “People’s Choice” awards.  And, new this year, there will also be voting for the “People’s Choice” favorite model car winner.  Door prizes and a display of the thirty-eight year history of the show will also be part of this year’s event.  The history of the show will feature old posters, entry lists, nostalgia pictures and vintage news clippings.  Between the cars and stars at this year’s show, visitors will be treated to two fun filled days of activities the entire family can enjoy.

The 39^th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Rod & Custom Car Show takes place February 23^rd and 24^th at the Monticello Berndes Center in Monticello, Iowa.  Show hours are Saturday from noon to midnight and Sunday from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M.  Trophy and cash awards will be presented on Sunday at 7:30 P.M. Adult admission is just $9 and children twelve and under are only $2 or free when accompanied by a paying adult.  Every visitor who brings in a canned food item, which will be donated to Four Oaks, will get one dollar off admission price and, as always, there is free parking available at the facility.  For more information about the show visit www.rodandcustomcarshow.com or call 319-465-5119 or, on the weekend of the show, 319-465-6640.