Image: CustomClassicTrucks

Take some time out June 21-23, 2013 for one of the hottest car shows in the country: MSRA’s Back To The ’50s Show, now entering its 40th anniversary. The event will take place in Mears Park in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota.

Image: GreatRace.com

In what promises to be a huge highlight of the show, there will be the start of the Hemmings Motor News Great Race, an event that will span the entire weekend, and well into the next. According to Jeff Stumb, the director of the Great Race, this year marks the 30th anniversary, and will have the theme “Motor With Us Down The Mighty Mississippi.”

Starting from St. Paul, the racers–operating on a rally-style itinerary–will run along a predetermined route from the Back To The Fifties event all the way to Mobile, Alabama, using back roads and detours to soak up the scenery across 10 states. All the while, they will be competing for a $50,000 grand prize.

Four racing classes cover previous winners, veterans, rookies, and even high school and college students. Jeff believes with all these contenders, and all their cars, one can expect see hundreds of people participating, whether as drivers, passengers or support crew. This event will be fun to watch, and you’ll have the opportunity to meet the racers and their rides on Friday, June 21, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Another event sure to please your palate for cars will be the Burnout Contest taking place Sunday, June 23, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Here, you can see and compete to win the “One Wheel Squeal” contest. The winner gets one set of four tires from the main sponsor, Norm’s Tires.

To end the event, a special tribute will be paid to POW/MIA soldiers overseas by Max Lofgren and his beastly ’55 Chevy, commanding 1,000 horses under the hood. In addition, country western singer Rockie Lynne will be in attendance to perform two songs dedicated to the troops.

Image PatrickJHughes.org

Of course, this show isn’t all about automotive enthusiasm; there’s something for everyone, even kids. For instance, there’s the Model Car Contest, going on Saturday through Sunday. In this activity, kids of all ages can compete across a wide swath of classes to construct the best model car.

Image: msra.com

On Friday, there will be a silent auction for the MSRA Foundation scholarship, which will benefit hardworking kids who are active members of the MSRA, or are family relations of the same. This auction has helped out several families and individuals since it started six years ago.

Throughout the weekend, you can also expect to see the “Ladies Showcase.” This attraction is as a breather from all of the fracas going on outside, and features department store outlets, seminars and giveaways. Take your friends and family to check out the MSRA Back To The 50’s event, it will be time well spent.