O’Reilly Car Show set for Feb. 25-26 in Monticello

     TV personalities from “Hazzard” and “Mayberry” will mingle with visitors checking out a unique collection of vehicles as KCRG TV9 Presents the O’Reilly Auto Parts Rod & Custom Car Show. This is the 48^th consecutive year as a Midwest car lover’s destination. Of course, the featured attraction at the family friendly show will be an impressive lineup of street rods, custom cars, streets machines, hot pickups, racecars and custom motorcycles for the Feb. 25-26 event in Monticello.

     TV personalities brightening up this long-running event will be Sonny Shroyer (“Enos”) and Rick Hurst (“Cletus”) from the CBQ series “Dukes of Hazzard,” which ran from 1979-85. They will mingle with visitors along with “Barney Fife” impersonator David Browning, billed as “The Mayberry Deputy” from the hit series “The Andy Griffith Show,” which ran on CBS from 1960-68. Hurst and Shroyer will be available for autographs, photographs and conversation Saturday, Feb. 25, from noon to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 26; from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you have “Dukes of Hazzard” memorabilia, bring them along for autographs. The Mayberry Deputy will be available Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

     As is the tradition, this affordable winter family fun event will be held at the Monticello Berndes Center, 766 N. Maple St.

     Spectators will have a hand in voting People’s Choice Awards for cars/pickups, motorcycles and model cars. O’Reilly Auto Parts, Casey’s General Store, Hupy and Abraham and Citizens State Bank will be providing some lucky people will door prizes in the form of gift cards.

     Added attractions:

     • 3-D Sound Company DJ Dave Palmer will MC the awards show (Sunday at 6:30 p.m.) and provide music and commentary

     • Caricature artist David Fliss, Flissart Entertainment, will provide complimentary visitor portraits

     • Balloon artist “Papa Balloon” Mark Garvey will keep the kids’ attention with his free creations

     • The 32^nd Annual Model Car Contest will award trophies and model kits in four categories

     • McKenna Maase with her winged sprint car. She is the first female winner at the Knoxville Raceway, the Sprint Car Capital of the World.

     Show hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Awards presentation courtesy of Casey’s General Store, Citizens State Bank and Hupy and Abraham set for 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.

     Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. Get $1 off by bringing a can of food to benefit Four Oaks family programs. Parking is free.

     For more information visit www.rodandcustomcarshow.com or 319-465-5119. Show weekend phone is 319-465-6640.