Wild Rose Classic Car Show & Cruise to be held Sept. 18 and 19

The Wild Rose Classic Car Show has become one of the most well-respected events in Waushara County. Last year’s show, the first ever held on the grounds of the Wild Rose Fire Department, was also the first show in 18 years that was not smiled upon by Mother Nature. While conditions may not have been ideal for the event last year, the show and cruise were well attended, spirits were not dampened by the seemingly ever-present rain, and a good time was had by all. The car show’s organizing committee, under the leadership of Al Jenks, is finalizing last-minute details for this year’s show.
This is the nineteenth year of the official Wild Rose Classic Car Show, and this year again all car show events will take place in one convenient location on the grounds of the Wild Rose Fire Department located on County Highway A west of Wild Rose. The street address of that location is 145 Grant Avenue, Wild Rose.
The Wild Rose Classic Car Show will be held at the Wild Rose Fire Department grounds on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a cruise of classic cars on Friday, Sept. 18, which will also begin at the Wild Rose Fire Department grounds. The starting time of the cruise is 5:30 p.m. The cruise will follow scenic Waushara County back roads with a pass through the Springwater Volunteer Covered Bridge before returning to Wild Rose. Look for more details about the cruise route in next week’s Argus so that you can join in or pick a good spot to watch the parade pass by.
When the cruise participants return to Wild Rose after the cruise on Friday night, many of their vehicles will remain on display on Main Street for everyone to see and admire. The restaurants, bars, and other businesses in downtown Wild Rose will welcome everyone back to town where food, drinks, and shopping can be enjoyed, and car stories can be shared with friends. There will also be a free street dance with live music and food and drinks under the tent, rain or shine, in downtown Wild Rose at the conclusion of the cruise.
The featured vehicle for this year’s show will lead the cruise on Friday night – a 1977 Chevrolet K10 Step Side truck owned by Steve and Kris Dorsett of Wild Rose. Steve and Kris have owned the pick-up for about 5 years. It boasts a 350 cubic inch engine coupled with a 3-speed manual transmission with a “granny gear”, an extra-low first gear used for maximum pulling power at slow speeds. The Dorsetts are responsible for some of the mechanical and cosmetic upgrades the truck has undergone since they have owned it.

Registration for the show on Saturday will be from 8 a.m. to noon. There will be classes for all vehicles of all years, with dash plaques given to the first 250 entries. A portion of the registration fee for each vehicle entering the showgrounds will be put into a raffle for which all entered vehicles will be eligible. There is no charge for spectators.
The registered participants at the car show will do the vehicle judging. First and second place trophies will be awarded in each of 26 classes as well as the highly coveted Best of Show trophy. The trophy presentation will take place at 3 p.m.
Various fun activities will be going on throughout the day of the show on Saturday, and music will be provided all day. The Chippy Express, a nostalgic miniature train presented by Evergreen Campsites and Resort, will be on hand to provide unique transportation around the showgrounds.
The Wild Rose Kiwanis and the Wild Rose Fire Department and Auxiliary will be selling food and refreshments during Saturday’s show. A delicious breakfast by the Kiwanis will be served from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or until gone. Lunch will be offered by the Wild Rose Fire Department and will be available from 10 a.m. until the end of the show. The lunch will feature the traditional selections you would expect at a car show or picnic with brats, hot dogs, burgers, and all the trimmings.
There will be a fall festival flea market, craft show, and other vendors adjacent to the car show grounds. It’s almost guaranteed that there will be something there for everyone who checks out what is offered.
Funding for the Wild Rose Classic Car Show comes partly from the registration fees received on the day of the show but also from area businesses and individuals who have donated funds and other items to sponsor the show.
The car show officially began in 2008 when local classic car enthusiasts wanted to display their automobiles close to home in a friendly small-town atmosphere, and Al Jenks has been the leader of the group from its very beginning. As time passed, the car show group became firmly committed to using available funds after expenses to support non-profits in our community. In 2025, donations were made to the Wild Rose and Saxeville-Springwater Fire Departments, the Wild Rose Police Department, two local food pantries, Waushara County Crime Stoppers, the Salvation Army, the Wild Rose Party on the Pond, Tree House of Central Wisconsin, the Wild Rose Kiwanis, and the Wild Rose Historical Society.
The car show also provides lovely floral arrangements along Main Street in Wild Rose during the summer and provides and maintains lighted star displays on Main Street’s light poles during the Christmas season.
The Wild Rose Classic Car Show is on Facebook, and more information about the show and cruise is available on the Village of Wild Rose website. Lodging information is available at www.wausharatourism.com.