The Frankenmuth Auto Fest is one of Michigan’s oldest and largest hot rod gatherings. Here’s a report on this weekend’s 2012 edition.
First, a little background for the non-locals. Frankenmuth is a pretty little tourist destination roughly halfway between Flint and Saginaw, or about 90 miles north of downtown Detroit. Oktoberfest, German family-style chicken dinners, year-round Christmas shops, that sort of thing.
The town’s other claim to fame is as the home of the annual Frankenmuth Auto Fest, which features more than 2000 hot rods and collector cars crammed into comfy little Heritage Park near the center of town. This year marked the 29th edition.
The Cass River winds around Heritage Park, adding to the atmosphere and providing an  ideal opportunity for the Amphicar crowd to show off (see lead photo). A big rain on Friday night left parts of the display grounds a bit soggy, but the meet’s veteran organizers adjusted with style. Below are a few dozen of the cars on hand Saturday. MCG will be circling back later in the week with dozens more.
Beautiful pics, as always.
But as someone with German heritage, I almost feel like you sold Frankenmuth a little bit short. My understanding is that it has long been Michigan’s #1 tourist attraction, with around 3 million visitors per year (possibly overtaken by Cabela’s in Dundee in recent years). The Oktoberfest held in Frankenmuth is the only one in the world outside of Munich that is sanctioned by Germany. And the Christmas stores are not just year-round: Bronner’s is the world’s largest Christmas store.
It would also seem to be a great place for a car show. And maybe a beer.
No slight whatsoever intended toward Frankenmuth. I can take or leave the all-year Xmas shops, to be honest, but I love the chicken dinners.