The 2020 Cleveland Auto Show is a great excuse to get out of the house
In regards to the 2020 Cleveland Auto Show the real question on everyone’s mind is where is the free stuff and what kind of fun stuff is there available to do. Let’s start with the Ride N’ Drives.
This year sees a slightly reduced offering than past years with six manufacturers offering test rides. Two of them are only active this coming Friday through Sunday (Volkswagen and Chevrolet) leaving four manufacturers offering the service during the week (Subaru, Toyota, Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Fiat and Nissan).
Of these four, Subaru and Nissan offer no parting gifts, Toyota awards you with an over the shoulder bag and Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Fiat once again gives you a really nice insulated zippered lunch bag.
Out on the floor at the Ram Test Track you can take a wild ride over unbelievable terrain and after a short survey spin for your choice of a hat, T-shirts, canvas bag or work gloves. The Jeep track offers a large heavy duty grocery style bag while Mercedes offers...nada.
Every hour you can sign up to play the Nissan trivia game with a chance to win prizes and at the Toyota area there will be a drawing for two really well designed car child seats following a child car seat installation demonstration. State Farm is back with their over the shoulder bags as well as personalized metal key chains. Sprinkled throughout the show area are photo booths and video driving challenges where you can get a blue screen photo or check your reflexes. At the Geico Insurance Booth you can spin to win various prizes.
Millionaire’s Row is back with a collection of cars mere mortals can only dream about. If you want to see what a million dollars looks like on four wheels this is a must see exhibit. Included in the showcase: a 2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante, a 2020 Rolls Royce Cullinan Black Badge, a 2020 Bentley Continental GT 1/100, a 2020 Bentley Bentayga V8 Design Series, a 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG-GT635, a 2020 Lotus Evora GT, a 2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo and a 2020 Porsche 911 Carera.
More down to earth is the Classic Car exhibit located in the South Hall where local owners get a chance to show off their restored and custom cars dating 25 years or more. On the line is being named “Best of Show.” Also on display in this area is the 2019 Cannonball Run record setting Mercedes E63 AMG with a list of all the added law enforcement deterrents as well as the average speed and times for the trip. The Classic Car exhibit area also is home this year to the Crawford Auto and Aviation Museum where you will find an electric van used to deliver purchases from Harrods of London from 1938 will into the 70s.
Inside the West Entrance you can register to win a 24 month lease on either a 2020 Buick Encore GX or a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation. Ten finalists will be chosen to come back to the show on March 1, 2020 with two Grand Prize winners to be selected.
The Crawford Auto-Aviation museum is back with some results of their beautiful restoration work and information about the museum and what they do. Another fun stop is the Celebrity Car Museum display that includes K.I.T.T. from Night Rider, the “Back to the Future” Delorean Time Machine, the 1983 GMC A-Team Vandura and the 1967 Pontiac GTO.
Hidden among the various manufacturer displays is “Auto Show Alpha” which is a full size concept car produced in Oklahoma. Also, in case you get hungry there is a huge food court located along the west side of the I-X Center with plenty of tables to eat at and relax as you refuel.
NASCAR is also a returning presence to this years show with a number of cars on display as well as an autograph session set for Wednesday.
One thing you would not expect to see at a car show is...puppies. During the entire week of the show, Subaru is sponsoring various pet rescue organizations housed in their very own "puppy corral" where you can need, hold, cuddle and adopt a new member of the family. It is a proven fact that rescue pets arrive to your house with double the love of any other pet you could buy.
The following special promotions will happen during the show including:
Tuesday, February 25: While supply lasts a free Cleveland Auto Show T-Shirt from 6 to 7 at the BMW display plus Cleveland Browns punter Jamie "The Scottish Hammer” Gillan will be on hand to sign autographs.
Wednesday, February 26: Main Concourse has Kaulig Racing bringing in NASCAR Drivers Justin Haley, AJ Almandinger, Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice signing autographs.
Thursday, February 27: Northern Ohio Heroes Day with free admission to all military and first responders (family members not included in the free admission).
Saturday, February 29: The 21st Annual Classic Car Show “Best of Show” presented by Cleveland Browns star Nick Chubb.
Show hours are Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets cost $14 for Adults, $12 for preteens and seniors with children six and under free. Parking is free courtesy of Cleveland New Auto Dealers. You can purchase tickets online at www.clevelandautoshow.com with no added convenience fees.