2005 Pontiac, GMC & Oakland Show

Any hobbyist familiar with Midwest summers knows to count on two late-season occurrences: strong thunderstorms and the area's largest gathering of Pontiacs at the Pontiac, GMC & Oakland Show located just outside Omaha, Nebraska. And this past year wasn't about to disappoint. Held on August 27-28, 2005, the 23rd annual event brought out some of the rarest Pontiac models ever produced and a few umbrellas to boot.

The Pontiac, GMC & Oakland Show has been co-hosted by the local-area Pontiac Owners Association and the Nebraskaland chapter of the Pontiac-Oakland Club International (POCI) for many years. And although its been held at a few different metro-area locations, the event has called Nebraska Crossing Outlet Mall in Gretna, Nebraska, home since 2001. Located roughly eight miles west of Omaha on Interstate 80, Gretna is a growing suburb that offers nearby interstate and highway access.

As in previous years, the two-day event started on Saturday with a late-morning swap meet and car corral. Late-afternoon social activities included a cookout, an ice-cream cruise, and plenty of tech talk. Yankton Automotive and Machine of Yankton, South Dakota, was again on hand with its portable chassis dyno for those who wanted to participate in more than bench racing.

The show itself started early Sunday morning with Pontiacs, GMCs, and Oaklands already lined up for technical inspections and registration by 7:30 a.m. Although spectator attendance was near record level, participant attendance slipped from nearly 300 in recent years to just 213, no doubt due to threatening weather forecasts and high gas prices. The participants came from seven different states and included many first-timers. Though weather was sunny and calm for much of the day, the show ended abruptly as a fast-moving storm cancelled the awards ceremony and sent attendees scurrying for cover.

Even with fewer participants and a late-day storm, the 23rd Annual Pontiac, GMC & Oakland Show was a great success, due in part to the beautiful Pontiacs on display and the hard-working club members. You can bet that the 24th annual event scheduled for August 26-27, 2006, will be no exception. The show will again be Sunday in the same location but with a new twist. Both co-hosting groups have teamed up with Mid-America Motorplex in nearby Pacific Junction, Iowa, to offer drag racing on Saturday.

If your weekend plans typically include hot racing action or beautiful Pontiacs, consider attending the 24th Annual Pontiac, GMC & Oakland Show. You might find some of the country's best-looking and rarest Pontiacs residing in the heartland. And with drag racing included in the upcoming event, it's sure to offer something for any hobbyist. For more information, contact Joe Dyrda at (402) 289-3620, or visit the Web site at www.geocities.com/poay2k/POA.

In memory of long-time club member Al Suess. His dedication and enthusiasm towards the event will be deeply missed.