This Sunday, while some fire up the barbecues, concoct that cook-off winning chili, and stock up on the ice cold beers for the Super Bowl, gear heads in the midwest will be revving up for the annual Polar Bear Cruise set for its 9th year.

Bare-Bones Car Club of Illinois has hosted the event since day one  and every year it draws in a larger crowd than the last. The midwest produces some of the hardiest enthusiasts in our culture. The recent storm in the east is testament enough to the conditions that car lovers must face and adapt to in order to get things done and keep things moving.

This event is open to everyone and is definitely an event for those who don’t shy away from adverse or challenging conditions. As stated on the flyer, “Everyone welcome! Don’t matter what you’re driving–rain, sleet, snow, or shine.” If you’re a road warrior, laugh in the face of frostbite, and scoff at traction negating ice sheets on the road, this is the gauntlet leading straight to Valhalla.

In all seriousness, an event tipping towards a decade must have a lot in the way of memories and good times to offer so if you’re local or tough enough to make the state line drive this is not one to miss.

The cruise will start at the event’s traditional rendezvous point, Golden Corral in Elgin, Illinois at 9:00 a.m.. After a hardy breakfast there will be two stops, Midwest Hot Rods first and then CJ Vintage, both in Plainfield, Illinois. The cruise will end at Brauer House, a restaurant/venue in Lombard, Illinois. In total, the cruise is around 66 miles. According to weather forecasts, the day of the cruise is set to be partly cloudy with a high of 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you’re looking for something to do around the locale and don’t have the Super Bowl bug get to the 9th Polar Bear Cruise, check out Bare-Bones CC’s Facebook to stay up to date.