The Monroe Auto Swap Meet and Car Show is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The anniversary show is set for 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, April 12 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds, 3775 S. Custer Road in Monroe. Admission is $8 for adults and free for children age 12 and under. Parking is free.
The event has grown since the first swap meet in April 1976.
“An antique Chevy club started it. It used to be nothing but Chevy parts. There were no cars. There were 20-30 vendors. They just swapped car parts," said Nick Avina, current show organizer. Avina also runs the Monroe Classic Bicycle Show and Swap Meet, set for April 26 at the fairgrounds.
Through the years, parts for other makes of cars were added to the Monroe Auto Swap Meet and attendance grew. Avina of Napoleon, Ohio took over the event about 15 years ago. He added the indoor and outdoor car show.
“It’s a good draw. Everybody likes the old cars. Last show, we had 200 cars. The number fluctuates a lot with the weather. We get over 600 vendors set up there from all over," Avina said.
"(Attendance) has grown to where it’s at today, 4,000 to 5,000 spectators. People come from California, Florida, from all over," Avina said.
For the 50 th event, vehicles in the show will receive a 50th-anniversary dash plaque. Can koozies and pens will be given to the first 2,000 spectators.
There also will be several drawings for cash prizes and one vehicle will win a marble and glass People's Choice trophy.
Music and food will be offered.
“We have five food vendors. They will have broasted chicken, hot dogs, burgers, roasted nuts, fudge, funnel cakes," Avina said.
Avina has enjoyed classic cars for decades.
“Ever since I was a kid, 10-years-old, (cars were) all I could think about. I like old muscle cars, Z28s and Super Sports," Avina said. "Personally, I sold at swap meets almost 50 years. I’ve done swap meets all over the east coast."
For more information, call Avina at 419-579-4845 or visit the event's website or Facebook page .
Previous Coverage: Ann Arbor's Classic Bike Show & Swap Meet moves to Monroe County Fairgrounds
Monroe Classic Bicycle Show and Swap Meet
Two weeks after the Monroe Auto Swap Meet and Car Show is another show organized by Avina, the Monroe Classic Bicycle Show and Swap Meet .
The 44th event will take place from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, April 26 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. Admission is $6 for adults and free for children age 12 and younger.
The event will feature more than 250 dealers from across the continent, according to the event's website.
"The last show at Monroe had more than 10,000 classic, vintage and collectible bicycles and minibikes onsite, representing nearly every major bicycle and minibike maker in the last century," according to the event's website.
"It's one the world’s largest bicycle shows," Avina said.
New this year is an auction.
"It starts at noon. Bring in your bike to auction off," said Avina.
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The bike show originated in Ann Arbor. In 2022, it outgrew the space, and organizers Paul and Anne Kleppert moved it to Monroe. Avina took over the following year.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com .
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe Auto Swap Meet and Car Show preparing for 50th-anniversary show
