This Korean War-vintage M38A1 is representative of the types
of vehicles on display at the Iola Vintage Military & Gun Show.
(John Adams-Graf photo)

Vintage car enthusiasts know that Iola, Wisconsin hosts the largest car show in the Midwest the second week of every July, but a month later, the Iola Car Show grounds are also the scene of a vintage military and gun show. This year's show will be held Aug. 8-9.

New at this year’s event is a presentation Saturday morning on Native American Code Talkers. The day will also include a USO-type show. Opening the show will be the Oneida Nation Dancers with an honor guard presentation. Fashions of the time will be shown, followed by The Justmann Band – Big Band Show. A dinner is offered for an additional charge.

Billed as one of the nation’s largest historical displays of special equipment, this year will again include an array of vintage military vehicles and equipment, as well as vintage tractors, trucks and related equipment.

Vintage tractors and equipment are an important display of the show. This display will feature a multitude of old tractors and trucks that played a big part in making American agriculture production and transportation efficient. It will include better-known, old-time tractors, such as John Deere, International Harvester, Oliver, Allis Chambers, Fordson, Massey Harris, Minneapolis Moline, etc., but also other tractors representing less well-known companies.

The Iola Vintage Military & Gun Show promotes the conservation, preservation and display of historic military equipment. The shared public display of military history includes vehicles, equipment and arms, and is a recognized activity for the study and understanding of the important role military veterans and their equipment have made for peace and freedom.

The huge array of vintage military vehicles and equipment, particularly of the World War II and Korean War era, will continue to be one of the major features of the show.

Representative uniforms from several nations will be worn representing not only the U.S. services, but also other nations.

The two-day event also includes parades, a swap meet, living history encampments and World War II- and Vietnam-era battle reenactments.

The Gun Show, started 13 years ago, continues to be a convenient indoor exhibit on the grounds.

The weekend of the show will also include the Fire in the Sky show on Saturday at 11:30 a.m., in which pyrotechnics and a helicopter will be used. On Saturday morning, The Community Blood Center will hold a blood drive.

Daily gate admission to the Iola Vintage Military & Gun Show is $6 for Adults and $4 for Children (ages 6-12).

For information, contact: Iola Vintage Military & Gun Show, P.O. Box 1, Iola, WI 54945; phone 715-445-4005; E-mail: mary@iolaoldcarshow.com; or go online to: www.iolavms.com.

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