A Labor Day Weekend Tradition with the Montana Classic Car Auction & Burn the Point
This Saturday is the 11th annual Montana Classic Car Auction being held at MetraPark in the Expo Center! There are 100 cars expected for this auction that is an awesome bookend event to the summer Classic Car driving season in the Northern Rockies! This location provides a great indoor setting for the Auction hosted by the Classic Car Auction Group.
Along with the auction, attendees can take in the Burn the Point Weekend, a fundraiser for the Chase Hawks Memorial Association Crisis Fund. The event includes a classic car parade and street dance in downtown Billings Friday night and a classic car show Saturday, also at Metra Park, set up on the Fairgrounds.
Burn the Point has become a Billings Labor Day Weekend tradition. It's put together by the Chase Hawks Memorial Association, which is "a Montana based 501c3 dedicated to providing financial assistance to families facing crisis. For over 25 years our efforts have provided over 1 million dollars in grants to people facing tragedy, health crisis or unforeseen circumstances in south central Montana and northern Wyoming."
Here is the breakdown for what's happening with Burn the Point & the Classic Car Auction:
~Friday, September 1st Downtown Billings
In the 50’s and 60’s the block between 2nd and 3rd Avenues North and N 29th ST and Broadway was a constant flow of young people and their cars, in both directions, “burning the point.” It was the place to meet and greet. The tradition continues today, thousands gather in the streets of downtown Billings every Labor Day weekend. Some to remember the days and cars of their youth, some too young to know what cruisin' was all about, but all to enjoy the rumble of the classic cars as they roll on by.
Chase Hawks Memorial Association acquired the rights to Burn The Point from the Downtown Business Association in 2003. A score of local car enthusiasts – led by Sylvia Gusick – have made this event bigger and better every year since.
The parade brings the streets to life at 6:00 pm when the first of over 500 cars rumble down 3rd Ave N. Kurt Anthony and Major Dan Miller from MOJO 92.5 FM announce the cars from the front of the Q2 Studios and the Babcock Theater, respectively. After the last car has passed, the band will fire up on Broadway and there will be dancing in the streets. This is a holiday worth staying in town for.
~Saturday, September 2nd MetraPark Expo Center
Classic Car Auction: Doors Open at 8:00am.
Bidder Registration and Vehicle Inspection - 8:00am-Close
Classic and Collector Car Auction Starts at 11:00am
This auction is a one day sale that attracts 100 of the region's finest classic and collector cars for sale at auction. For information on consigning your car or registering to bid, click here.
~Saturday, September 2nd MetraPark Fairgrounds
10:00 am the show opens to several thousand people who pour over the stunning collection of classic cars and trucks on display at the MetraPark Fairgrounds. For just $3 you can take your time looking these beauties over. Almost 300 strong, there is A LOT to look at. We also invite you to stop by the 11th Annual Classic Car Auction in the Expo Center, presented by our friends at the Classic Car Auction Group. We are excited to offer our event concurrently with theirs.
A variety of vendors offer food and beverages on what is always a sunny summer day. Over one hundred trophies are given out and the judges are the trophy sponsors themselves – can’t get more fair than that! A lot full of gorgeous machines, music, good food and drink…how can you beat a day like that for only $3?
As much as we love dogs, they are not allowed at the show so please leave Fido at home. While you’re here, there is also a great swap mean and fantastic car corral going on. Parking will be available in the main upper and lower lots, get there early to claim the best spots! (We will offer Shuttle Service from the upper parking lot and Handicap Parking will be available.)
