The River Rats Car Club of Austin puts on an annual car and bike show the third Saturday in August. The proceeds from each year’s show are used to, in some way, give thanks to our deserving service men and women. The proceeds from this years show was $4,800. This will make it possible for our club to purchase 15 memorial plaques to be placed at the Mower County Memorial in Austin, Minnesota.

Our car and bike show is not an event exclusive only to car and bike enthusiasts, it is a fun family and community event. Aug. 20, 2016, was a day to come together to give “Thanks” and “Honor” some very special Americans. The 2016 show drew in an impressive variety of 137 cars and bikes. Spectators of every age came out to enjoy the day. Mason in the Morning.-FM 100 was the master of ceremonies with Rayce Hardy playing a variety of music. Mason kept the crowd involved with a variety of trivia, contests and competitive games. Children enjoyed a variety of games and contests as part of our “Rat Land” kids fun area. Children enjoyed being presented with medals of their own, by Mason, during the awards ceremony. Amazing prizes were given out for the first, second and third place winners of our beanbag tournament. Impressive prizes were given out for all games and trivia contest. There was a wonderful variety of silent auction items. Donation tickets were sold for Henry Rifle and Pedal was raffled off. Over 70 show entrants were awarded with military statue trophies to commemorate the event.

Our club would like to thanks Veterans and we will continue to do what we can to make our annual event bigger and better. We want to give back to the community and show our appreciation and gratitude.

We would like to thank our many sponsors and donors. You have all helped to make this event a wonderful success. A special thank to Austin Park and Rev. Mason in the Morning-FM100, Rayce Hardy, Austin Electric, Austin Utilities, Austin Power, Y Waste, Austin Police Department, UFCW, Freeborn Mower Cooperative Services, White Water Wireless, and Power 96.

For more information contact: Club President, John DeVries 507-438-6635 or Club Vice President, Rick Bliss 507-438-2783.

John DeVries and Rick Bliss, River Rats Car Club