Iron Invasion Brings Eccentric, “Normal” Together In Davenport

In the middle of The Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds last Saturday, among mini-bikes, rockabilly-punk bands, retro and pin-up models, 100's of classic and custom cars, vans, motorcycles and choppers, plus dirt drag racing rat-rods, I heard the strangest thing. "It's nice to get out here and forget about covid for awhile."

The prevailing feeling among the attendees and participants of this first-time-in-the-QCA event, was that it felt good to just get out and do something that seemed 'normal.' Thousands of folks showed up to celebrate our ability just to do so. The Iron Invasion typically is held in Woodstock, Il, but the more restrictive Covid-19 precautions left the organizers with a tough question: Cancel it for this year, or move it to Iowa, where more folks are allowed to congregate. The show is a fund-raising event for Helping Hannah's Heart, and organization that lends assistance to families affected by congenital heart defects. So it was important that the show happen...somewhere.

John Wells, the show's organizer, was worried about leaving the venue in illinois. Would vendors and attendees make the extra trip to a new venue? Would the weather hold? Would the Quad Cities welcome a new show this late in the season? The answer to each of those questions was Yes! And the result was the best car show of this strange season!

The Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds again provided home for a slice of life in The QCA. Many of the people I talked to mentioned how the Fairgrounds has been a nice distraction in this Summer of social-distancing. With the Food Trucks and Fair Food events and racing this summer, the Fairgrounds created some sense of normal in a summer that really needed it. MVF Director Shawn Loter has navigated a tricky atmosphere this year, and in doing so has turned the Fairgrounds into a destination all summer long.

Congratulations to Melissa, and the Rambler that she drove all the way from Joliet, IL! That's the cover car for the 2021 Dwyer and Michaels Classic Car Calendar!

I can see The Iron Invasion becoming a fall tradition here in the Quad Cities. I hope the organizers see that too!