2012 CCE Spring Tour by Dave Mann

The CCE Spring Tour this year will be a weekend in Southwest Michigan on Saturday and Sunday, May 19th & 20th. I am sensitive to the tough financial times and have tried to put together a weekend with many activities that is as affordable as possible.

The tentative itinerary has us meeting at the usual spot (Cracker Barrel in Hammond, IN, off I-80 exit 3) on Saturday morning. Our first destination is the 4th Annual Dust Off at the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, MI. (gilmorecarmuseum.org). The event is from 9am to 4pm (we'll get there around 11am), admission is $5 per person and lunch will be available at a discounted group rate (cost TBD). All the barns and buildings will be open and they expect anywhere from 150 to 350 antiques, classics, hot rods, rat rods, muscle cars, project cars, racers, low riders, vintage trucks, etc. (depending on the weather). The next stop will be Bell's Brewery in downtown Kalamazoo, MI (bellsbeer.com). We'll tour the original brewery (and possibly their new facility) then dine at their restaurant, the Eccentric Café. All varieties of Bell's Beer are on tap and there is entertainment nightly.

I have blocked 15 Double Queen rooms at the Super 8, Kalamazoo (super8.com) for Saturday night. The cost is $39.99 + tax per room for 1 or 2 people and $43.99 + tax for 3 or 4. To reserve your room, call 877-361-2508 and mention Chicagoland Corvair confirmation # 56241146. Although all the rooms I blocked have 2 queen size beds, you can request a King room for the same price if there are any available when you call. You must make your reservation by May 5th, and can cancel up to 24 hours before check-in.

On Sunday we will head to the Kalamazoo AirZoo (airzoo.org). If you haven't been there before, check out their website… lots of cool exhibits and activities. Cost ranges from $8 to $15 per person for admission, ride, movie and simulator packages. I am working on a private tour of the new restoration facility, more on that when I have confirmation. Next, you have a couple options. You can take a leisurely drive back home along scenic Red Arrow Highway with plenty of quaint towns, antique shops and flea markets along the way. Or you can spend some time at Formula K Fun Park in Mattawan, MI (formulakfamilyfunpark.com). They have Go-Karts, bumper cars, Jr. racers, 5/8 scale Stock Car & Lola Grand Prix Cars, miniature golf and an arcade. Cost ranges from $5 for 3 laps to $25 for unlimited rides in a 3-hour span as well as ride/golf/token packages.

Please email me (vdomann@gmail.com) as soon as possible if you think you will be joining us on this tour (unless you already put your name on the list at the January meeting), let me know how many are coming, what you'll be driving, whether you'd like to get in on the group lunch at the Dust Off and what your Sunday choice will be (Red Arrow or Formula K). Thanks, and I hope to see all of you there!