Featured Hot Rods Vintage Torquefest 2025

May 2-3 Who's all going? Best show in the upper midwest.

 

In Dubuque Iowa

 

ME.....and I'm bustin' tail to get an early 70's Taiwanese mini bike finished to take along.

Wait.....May 2 through 5? Thought it was just Friday and Saturday.

Roger

 

Count me in. Busted ass all winter to get my truck done in time for it but I don't think I'll quite get it done (ish enough).

 

It is just Friday and Saturday….Sunday a lot of people around the Dubuque area and torque fest travelers head to the Monticello , Iowa’s Swap meet. It is getting bigger than ever and only $5 to get in and not much more to sell. Check it out !

 

Yes May 2-3. Brain fart.

 

Ummmm, if I may offer a bit of a life hack? Those are supposed to come out the other end.

Roger

 

I’m going I have only missed one to try another show that was new, I learned from that mistake….

 

Two questions:
Are they still real picky about what vehicles are allowed into the show?
The first year I went they hassled me because they could see the white letters on the tires that were turned inward.

How much does it cost to get in the joint?
I only have Friday I can do it, but no place can I find the entry fee. I understand its a charity event, but it would be nice to bring enough money to be able to have a good day.

 

They’re not as picky as they used to be. Don’t quote me but the entry fee car with driver I think is like 20 or 25 bucks additional passengers I think are the same as the driver.

 

Entry fee is $20 for one day of $35 for the weekend

 

Thanks, I might run over Friday.

 

What’s the spectator cost. No vehicle just walk in. I must be blind but I couldn’t find it

 

Me and the little woman will be there.
Attend every year with our friends.
It’s my favorite show of the year.

 

Anybody up for a meet and greet?

 

That’s not a good sign!

 

I couldn't find the price, that was why I asked those that posted here.
Their web site closes down when the preregistration close, a month before the event.
Back in the early days, the cost to have a car in the show was the same (or nearly the same) as a spectator walk in.

It is a benefit show, all the proceeds go to the sponsored family (with a child with heart issues), and there is a ton of stuff going on all weekend. Fri noon to 11PM, Sat 8am to 7pm (I believe).
One on one drags on the track Fri & Sat afternoons, Dirt track racing with vintage dirt track cars (mostly 50 - 70s cars) on Friday night, followed by a demo derby. There is the outdoor car show (64 & older traditional cars, and rat rods), an indoor car show (vintage customs, show cars, & drag cars), bands playing all day, both days, an art auction, a car swap meet, the pinup contest, and vendors selling stuff. If your bored, its not their fault. But its not a cheap experience.

 

Same as with a car.

 

I will be there.

 

How do we find more info on this??? Went to there web site and it’s just a link to fakebook. Well everyone isn’t on fakebook

 

What kind of info are you looking for? I pretty much laid it out above.

The event, above all is a charity event to raise money for a family that has a child with a heart related problem. The family is selected (and qualified) before the event every year (this has to be the 10+ year the show has been going on, the last several at the fairgrounds/race track in Dubuque IA). You get to see them hand over the donation to the family Sat afternoon.

The show is based on pre 64 traditional and rat rod vehicles, with customs thrown in (600+ if the weather is good). Don't bring an attitude, enjoy the differences, or just look at what you like. There are rules the car has to fit into to enter the show, (they don't like much "modern" stuff) but there is a special parking area for near misses (the cars with the stuff they don't like), and plenty of parking for everyone else.

While that is going on, there is an indoor show (Invite only) with 50s & 60s customs, early drag cars, and traditional show cars, (always really nice stuff).

There are vendors selling things (indoor or out) related to the 50s /60s era, stuff, including automotive stuff, cloths, furniture, if you can dream it, its probably there. There will be plenty of optional things you can do that add to the donation to the family. In years past, you could get louvers punched, or get a hair cut for cheap, all proceeds going to the family receiving the donation.

Auto related art work plays heavy too, everything from custom art, to a pin stripping, an art contest, and auction of art work to raise funds for the charity.

There is a (modern version) of a 50s ladies Pin Up contest.

There is an automotive swap meet (usually a lot of good stuff, including 30s -early 60s sheet metal and parts).

The last time I was there (2 years ago) there were 3 stages with bands ( wide variety of rockabilly, old country style, or what ever) playing all day and into the night.

If that wasn't enough, on the dirt track they have one on one drag races both afternoons, AIRS vintage dirt track races on Fri night and Demo derby after the AIRS cars. In years past they have have had flat track motorcycles races on Sat, don't know if they will be there this year.

You get as much of it as you can handle for $20 per person (with or without a car) for one day, or $30 per person (with or without a car) for the both days (consider that extra $10 entry as your donation to the family).
Friday hours are noon to 11pm
Sat hours are 8am-5pm (I believe) The art auction and the donation to the family usually takes place at around 3pm Sat.

Of course there are the food options, the fairgrounds food is decent, and not as big of a rip off as many are these days.

Its not an inexpensive weekend, but it is a pretty unique event, with lots of activities to entertain you. I believe everyone should attend it at least once. It is an experience to behold, and they have been doing it long enough now, they have most of the details covered. Attend with the understanding you are helping a family with a real financial need, and this event is a fund raiser for that family. You make your donation at the entry gate, then enjoy what ever parts of it are appealing to you. If the other optional expense activities are appealing to you and are within your budget, partake in as many, or as few as you wish. Its a real cause, with real people getting real help they need.

 

He’s right, once I drank the water in Mexico and I shit my brains out.

 

TOO GOOD!! Thanks for the laugh.

Roger

 

Great synopsis, Gene.

Between the promoter, his family, and the countless volunteers, this has become one of the BEST shows in the area if not the country. Everyone has a smile and is taking part in the event in one form or another. The art is cool, the vintage clothing/culture is very prominent, the cars and motorcycles are great, but the people and the cause are even better. The first was in 2010. Here's to another 15 years!!

 

The weather forecast is looking good.

 

Torque Fest Retruns this Friday & Saturday May 2 and 3 at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds. Good times, good people, good cause. All gate proceeds help kids with congenital heart defects. Entry $20 single day or Weekend Pass $35, Kids 12 and under are Free.

Here is the line-up of events each day.





@partsdawg @Tetanus

 

I'm in the process of getting my crew together for our hot rod caravan to Iowa Friday morning. There should be about 5 cars in our group. We're looking forward to a great day.
The list of bands that will be performing can be found at @vintagetorque on Instagram. It's quite the line-up! There are many bands that will perform throughout the event.

For you first timers, here is a thread I made of my 2023 Vintage Torque Fest adventure. There was a lot I did not capture like all the live music, pin-up contest, auction, all the action on the dirt track, the flame throwing exhibiton.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/my-2023-vintage-torque-fest-adventure.1292031/

 

Speed-On,
Thank you for providing accurate information.
I just don't understand why John doesn't keep the web site open after the per-registration closes. Its kind of like shooting yourself in the foot to remove the official information at a time when curious people are looking for information.
I'd never see it on Instagram (I don't go there), and many Facebook doesn't have much info there.

 

You're very welcome @gene-koning I was surprised he did not have the above itinerary posted on the Vintagetorque Instagram page. I thought I'd post it here so people have a good understanding of the daily activities.

I found this map of the fairgrounds as well. This is specifically for the Torque Fest event. Here's a lay of the land...

 

Thanks speed-on for posting THAT is what i was looking for, real info!