Burn the Point 2018
Friday August 31st and Saturday September 1st
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. When traffic became too heavy, police walking that beat rolled out the “No Right Turn” signs stored on the corners, and the pattern spread to nine blocks. In subsequent years the lack of places to pull off and the pressures a city exerts when the inevitable few forget how to behave in a crowd sent the kids to the west end and
a new place to cruise.
The Chase Hawks Memorial Association acqu
ired the rights to “Burn the Point” from the Downtown Busines
s Association in 2003. A lot of local car enthusiasts, led by Sylvia Gusick, have made this event bigger and better every year since.
“BURN THE POINT” PARADE
Friday night, August 31st of Labor Day weekend, the parade brings the streets to life at 6:30 when the first of over 500 cars cross N 27th ST
to rumble down 3rd Ave N to the delight of as many as 12,000 spectators. We don’t know how to count them, but that was the estimate of last year’s crowd. They fill the streets, parking lots, parking garages and sidewalks. Kurt Anthon
y and Major Dan Miller from MOJO 92.5 FM announce the cars from the front of ST Francis Upper Scho
ol and the Babcock Theater, respectively. After the
y rumble back across N 27th Street, the band will fire up on Broadway and there will be dancing in the streets. This i
s a holiday worth staying in town for.
ENTRIES
Staging begins at 5:00 PM on 3rd Ave North. Enter at N 13th Street, West on 3rd Avenue North and join the line; registration folks will come to you. The $10fee helps cover the insurance and other expenses. Once on the parade route, you do not have to obey the lights as traffic is blocked to the other streets. We know it is horribly tempting, but our permit is dependent upon NO BURNOUTS. Candy cannot be thrown from the cars, and no signs are allowed on vehicles. The entries are limited to cars and light trucks, only.
“BURN THE POINT” CLASSIC CAR SHOW
Saturday at 10 am the show opens to several thousand folks who pour over the classic cars on display set up on the Metra Park Fair grounds. For only $3 (or $2 and a Pepsi Can) you can take your time looking these beauties over. Almost 300 strong, there’s a lot to look at. A variety of vendors offer food and beverages on what is always a sunny summer day. Over a hundred trophies are given, and the judges are the sponsors of the trophies; can’t be more fair than that. A lot full of cars, music, good food and drink…how do you beat a day like that for 3 bucks?
As much as we love dogs, they are not allowed at the show, so please leave fido at home. While you are here, there is also a swap-meet and a 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 have shuttle service from the upper parking lots and Handicap Parking will be available).
Dates and Times
- Friday, August 31, 2018 – 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday, September 1, 2018 – 10:00 AM
