Winter fun — Gilmore’s Winter Motoring Meet, vintage snowmobile show set for Feb. 5

By WKTV Staff

The second annual Winter Motoring Meet will return to the Gilmore Car Museum Saturday, Feb. 5, with a day of outdoor family fun in Michigan’s winter weather, plus full access to the museum’s indoor collection of more than 400 classic vehicles.

Access to the Winter Motoring Meet and related activities will be included in standard daily admission to the museum, according to an announcement from the museum.

The Gilmore Car Museum’s Winter Motoring Meet will include winter machines of all kinds. (Supplied/by Lew Verburg)

“The Gilmore Car Museum’s Winter Motoring Meet is for folks who appreciate Michigan’s Winter Motoring season, whether in their cars, 4×4 trucks, Jeeps, or snowmobiles,” Josh Russell, executive director of the Gilmore Car Museum, said in supplied material. “It’s a fun way for us to get outside and enjoy the winter season, in an outdoor environment with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy our 90-acre campus.”

The Winter Motoring Meet will include scenic rides around the snow-covered Gilmore campus in several of the museum’s antique cars and trucks, a special exhibit of vintage snowmobiles, a professional ice carving exhibition, and outdoor games.

The Gilmore Car Museum’s Winter Motoring Meet will include classic snowmobiles. (Supplied/by Lew Verburg)

A special 1-day-only exhibit of antique, vintage, and racing snowmobiles (from 1992 and older) will be on featured display at the Winter Motoring Meet. The indoor and outdoor snowmobile exhibit has been coordinated with help and support from Vintage Snowmobile Michigan — snowmobile enthusiasts from across Michigan and the Great Lakes region (facebook.com/VintageSnowmobileMichigan).

Guests will also be able to warm up by an outdoor fire, with available food and beverage options to include homemade soup, gourmet hot chocolate, winter beer, a glass of wine, or a favorite cocktail.

“If we’re lucky enough to have fresh snow on the day of our meet, guests are welcome to bring their own snowshoes or cross-country skis for a trek across our beautiful 90-acre campus,” the announcement states.

The Gilmore Car Museum’s Winter Motoring Meet will include tours in antique vehicles. (Supplied/by Josh Russell)

Free “glorified sleigh rides” through the snow-covered Gilmore campus will also be offered to museum guests, riding on bench seats in the bed of a classic Ford Model AA pickup truck, and in other classic “open air” cars and trucks from the museum’s collection.

“Guests should consider bringing their warm coats, hats, gloves, and perhaps even blankets,” the announcement states.

For general questions or more information, visit GilmoreCarMuseum.org, call 269- 671-5089 or email info@gilmorecarmuseum.org.