The Cadillac Fall Festival At The Gilmore Museum In Hickory Corners, MI on September 27-28, 2024
September 27 @ 10:00 am - September 28 @ 4:00 pm
$20
The Cadillac Fall Festival is a once in a lifetime celebration of Cadillac’s century-long legacy of innovation and design.
The event returns to the renowned Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan on September 27-28, 2024.
This year’s event expands to include all GM brands, promising an unforgettable showcase of automotive history and excellence.
The Gilmore Car Museum is often considered one of the top car museums in the United States, both in terms of size and the quality of its collection. With over 400 vehicles on display and a sprawling 90-acre campus, it is among the largest car museums in the country.
ABOUT THE GILMORE MUSEUM
The Gilmore Car Museum features over 400 vehicles that include pioneering Brass Era automobiles, iconic American muscle cars, luxurious pre-war classics, and European sports cars.
The collection also showcases specialty concept vehicles, vintage motorcycles, and trucks, with a significant focus on Cadillac.
The museum’s rotating themed exhibits provide visitors with an ever-evolving and captivating journey through automotive history.
The Gilmore Car Museum is situated on a sprawling 90-acre campus and features over a dozen historic buildings.
These buildings include restored barns, vintage dealership replicas, and dedicated exhibit spaces, all designed to showcase the museum’s extensive collection of automobiles and automotive memorabilia.
The expansive grounds and numerous structures create a unique and immersive experience for visitors, offering a deep dive into automotive history.
Here is your opportunity to see a widespread variety – early Cadillacs, the classics of the 1930s and 1940s, the flamboyant 1950s and 1960s, the increasingly popular 1970s and 1980s up to those of the modern Art & Science design philosophy, including well-preserved originals and modified models.
EVENT SUMMARY
- Event: Cadillac Fall Festival
- Date: September 27-28, 2024
- Time: All day event (specific times not listed)
- Location: Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners, MI
- Buy Tickets Here
ABOVE FEATURED PHOTO: Henry Leland with his 1906 Cadillac automobile, nicknamed “Osceola”
The Cadillac Fall Festival is much more than a celebration, it is about supporting worthwhile causes, including the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo and the Cadillac Museum.
THE CAR COLLECTIONS
The Cadillac Fall Festival provides a display of rare Cadillac Station Wagons thru the decades as well as Cadillac Concept Cars.
This year cars to be featured are 1963 – 1964 and all Pink Cadillacs.
In addition, those who attend with their own pride and joy will offer a wide array of Cadillacs from the early years to the present for all to enjoy. All typify the Evolution of Cadillac Design.
JUDGING & AWARDS
The primary focus of judging for the Cadillac Fall Festival is design. Therefore, the Judging Teams for each of Classes 1 to 7 will be led by a past or present Chief Designer of the Cadillac Studio and consist of past or present designers from GM Design. There will be a special judging team for the Preservation Class.
Judging Criteria
All cars in Classes 1 to 7 will be judged in three categories – Design (50%), Function, Condition, & Authenticity, (30%) and Elegance & Emotion (20%).
Design will assess Exterior Proportions, Front & Rear End Design, Wheels & Tires, Paint, Instrument Panel, Seat Design, Door Design, Upholstery Materials, and Color & Trim Combination.
Function, Condition & Authenticity will evaluate Engine Start & Run, Lights & Signals Operation, Engine Compartment, Body & Top, Chrome Trim & Glass, Weatherstripping, and Panel Fit.
Elegance & Motion will consider Design Harmony, Exterior & Interior Design Significance, Iconic or Trend-Setting Design and the “Wow Factor”.
Preservation Class cars will be judged on the Extent of Originality, Degree of Preservation, & History Documentation along with the categories mentioned above.
The evaluations of each car will not be disclosed, and the judges’ decisions are final.
Awards
Two prizes will be awarded in each class – Best-In-Class and one Henrey M. Leland award. The Leland award recognizes cars deserving of commendation.
Additionally, one car will receive a Best Interior Award. Another will be recognized as Best-In-Show chosen from among those who were the best in each class.
FACTOID: Henry Martyn Leland was an American machinist, inventor, engineer, and automotive entrepreneur. Leland founded the two premier American luxury automotive marques, Cadillac (1902) and Lincoln (1917). (Source: wikipedia)
These awards will be presented in a Drive-by Ceremony, emceed by Chief Judge Kip Wasenko, that will provide an overview and insights into GM design over the years.
Each Judging Team leader, a Chief Designer of the Cadillac Studio, will share some insights of working with the GM Vice President of the class and present the two awards to the car owners while commenting on the reasons for the cars’ selection.
1954 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible from the Cadillac Car Collection at the Gilmore Museum and Car Show
COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR THE CAR SHOW
The Cadillac Fall Festival provides two days of fun and Cadillacs and LaSalles for you to enjoy. Your safety is our concern.
Special Attractions
- CADILLAC CONCEPTS – Several Cadillac Concept cars will be on display for your enjoyment. For more details click here.
- CADILLAC STATION WAGONS THROUGH THE DECADES – A few station wagons were produced on Cadillac chassis from the 1940s through the 1980s. A representative from each decade will be displayed plus a 2014 CTS-V Station Wagon. For more details click here.
- MUSEUM GARAGE SALE – Here’s your chance to acquire Cadillac and LaSalle literature and memorabilia to supplement your collection or help with your restoration.
Schedule & Events
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024, GET TOGETHER AT GILMORE
9:00 am to 6:00 pm A full day to see your friends again, explore the Cadillac Museum and other museums at Gilmore Museums, see Cadillacs of the early days to today, take a ride in period Cadillacs around the Gilmore campus and cap off the day with live music of the 1950s to the 1970s followed by a BBQ dinner.
10:00 am to 3:00 pm Collector car rides in vintage Cadillacs. Experience the sensations and ambiance of riding in cars from the 1960s and earlier from the Museum’s collection on the Gilmore campus roads. First come, first served.
11:00 am to 2:00 pm Guided Tours of Museums at Gilmore. Each tour will include 10 to 20 persons and last about 45 minutes. The starting time and museums to be covered are listed below. First come, first served. (See The Gilmore List of Cars)
- 11:00 am Gilmore Galleries covering cars from the `20s to `30s`50s to `60s
- 12:00 pm Muscle Car Gallery and the Franklin Museum
- 1:00 pm Model A Ford and Lincoln Museums
- 2:00 pm Classic Car Club of America Museum
- 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Early Eldorado expert at the Cadillac Museum to discusV1953 to 1958 Eldorados on display
- 3:00 to 4:30 pm Live Music will be provided by That Beatles Thing, a Beatles tribute band. Limited seating available; use your own chairs.
4:30 to 6:00 pm
BBQ Dinner is served on the central campus at Gilmore. Each person will have the choice of two meats (ribs, brisket, chicken or sausage) and a choice of two sides (Mac & Cheese, Cornbread, Hot Mixed Vegetables or Corn on the Cob, Garlic Red Skin Potatoes) plus Apple & Cherry Cobbler for dessert and choice of beverage (water, lemonade or Coke).
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2024, THE EVOLUTION OF CADILLAC DESIGN
- 7:00 am to 9:00 am Cars assemble on the show field for judging.
- 9:00 am to 1:30pm Car show judging. For more details click here
- 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Collector car rides in vintage Cadillacs. Experience the sensations and ambiance of riding in cars from the 1960s and earlier from the Museum’s collection on the Gilmore campus roads. First come, first served.
- 10:00 am to Noon Guided Tours of Museums at Gilmore. Each tour will include 10 to 20 persons and last about 45 minutes. The starting time and museums to be covered are listed below. First come, first served.
- 10:00 am Generations of Corvettes
- 11:00 am Classic Car Club of America Museum
- 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Early Eldorado expert at the Cadillac Museum to discuss 1953 to 1958 Eldorados on display
- 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm Evolution of Cadillac Design Awards Ceremony. Master of Ceremonies and Chief Judge Kip Wasenko and other Cadillac designers will discuss the evolution of Cadillac design as they present winning cars their awards in a drive-by ceremony on the central campus.
“The Cadillac Fall Festival provides two days of fun and Cadillacs and LaSalles for you to enjoy. Your safety is our concern.”
The Cadillac luxury brand was founded in 1902 and named after Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the founder of Detroit. The iconic Cadillac visual identity is instantly recognizable and is still based on the original brand’s logo from 1906. The famous logo was redesigned about 30 times since 1902.
The first Cadillac logo was designed in 1902 and featured a crest with swans and parallel lines, with a crown on top and an ornate circle framing. The crest was inspired by the Detroit founder’s cat of arms. The wordmark “La Mothe Cadillac” was placed on the bottom part of the logo. The trademark was registered in 1906.
A symbol of excellence redesigned, it is inspired by the work of Piet Mondrian, a European artist known as a very prominent geometric painter of the 1900s.
The crest of Cadillac was a design inspired by the French adventurer Antoine de la Mothe, Sieur de Cadillac’s coat of arms. He is noted in 1701 for the founding of the city of Detroit and is said to be an ancestor of Henry Leland, founder of Cadillac. The coat of arms was first used on Cadillac cars back in 1905 and was a registered trademark in the following year.
ABOUT THE GILMORE AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM
First Cadillac Logo from 1902
The Gilmore Car Museum – North America’s Largest Auto Museum™ – is a collection of multiple museums displaying over 400 cars in a variety of examples of period architecture.
The cars include most every brand with examples from the earliest years to the muscle car era and beyond, from million-dollar classics to modest four-door sedans; most all are fully restored. Some unique originals are also displayed. (Read More about the Gilmore Museum on Wikipedia)
In addition to the Cadillac Museum replicating a 1948 dealership, architecture examples include:
- 1930s Ford dealership
- 1930s Lincoln dealership
- 1907 Franklin dealership
- 1930s Shell gas station
- 1940s diner – still serving food!
- Railroad station
There are seven restored Midwest farm barns, circa the early 1900s, that now house cars, motorcycles, and the Red Barns Raceway Slot Car Track. And, there are museums presenting the collections of the Classic Car Club of America and the Pierce-Arrow Society.
All of this is sited on a tranquil, 90-acre campus that transports you back to a less-hectic time. Yet, for those who are addicted to being connected, WIFI connections exist throughout.
6865 W Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners, MI 49060 (See Google Map) https://www.cadillacfallfestival.com/
269-671-5089
CHARITIES
By participating in the Cadillac Fall Festival, you will be helping two charities fulfill their missions to improve the greater Kalamazoo Region and preserve the heritage of Cadillac.
Boys & Girls Club of Kalamazoo
The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo is to enhance the quality of life of young people through education, art, health and recreation, especially for those who need us the most.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo is a nonprofit organization where youth ages 5 – 18 have a safe place to learn and grow – all while having fun!
Program services are offered in 3 locations across Kalamazoo, and operates with the vision of providing an environment where all young people achieve their goals through healthy lifestyles, education, good character and citizenship. For more details click here
Cadillac LaSalle Car Museum
Determined to preserve the Cadillac legacy, several members of the Cadillac & LaSalle Club founded the Cadillac & LaSalle Club Museum & Research Center (CLCMRC), commonly referred to as the Cadillac Museum, in 1995. It is recognized as a charitable and educational organization under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3).
Its mission is to preserve and exhibit Cadillacs and LaSalles to promote and share the exciting history of these premier automobiles and their impact on the nation and the world over the past 115 years.
The CLCMRC also collects and maintains technical information, historical documents, and other materials related to both brands.
This amalgam of cars and information provides an invaluable resource to members, researchers, historians, car enthusiasts and the public about these unique, trend-setting automobiles.
