Revved Up in Bennington: Annual GEARS Car Show Cruises Into Town With Record Turnout

4–6 minutes

By Marisa Dawson

A young man inspecting the engine of a classic car at a car show, surrounded by brightly colored vehicles with their hoods open.

Downtown Bennington was lined with polished chrome, classic engines and crowds of spectators on Sunday as GEARS (Greater Elkhorn Area RodS) hosted its 30th annual car show, drawing a record-breaking 206 vehicles to the community.

The longtime car club, which began in the 1980s, originally hosted the event in Elkhorn before eventually relocating to Bennington as attendance continued to grow. “We used to be in Elkhorn and got too big, so we moved it over here to Bennington,” said longtime GEARS member Fred Roza. “We have 206 cars, which is our record.”

According to Roza, last year’s event featured roughly 70 vehicles, making this year’s turnout a dramatic increase. With hundreds of participants and spectators filling downtown streets, organizers spent much of the afternoon judging entries before awards were handed out later in the day. “It’s going to be really hard to judge,” Roza said. “There’s so many nice cars here this year.”

Roza said GEARS currently has around 36 members and has remained active for approximately 30 years, something he considers rare among car clubs. “Most car clubs don’t hang together that long,” he said. “It’s really a pretty good honor to have it go that long.”

Two men, one wearing a red cap and the other in an orange shirt, are observing a classic car with its hood open at a car show. Brightly colored vintage cars are parked in the background.

The club credits much of its longevity to the relationships formed among members and participants. “Just good people,” Roza said. “Nothing but good people.”

In addition to showcasing vehicles, GEARS also uses its events to give back to the community. Roza said proceeds from club events are donated to charities, with only enough funds retained to help organize future shows. The group also hosts a poker run in August benefiting organizations. This year’s funds are going to be disbursed among QLI Rehabilitation Facility, a Bennington family (financial aid for health rehabilitation), and various scholarship programs in Elkhorn and Bennington. “We donate all of our money back,” Roza said. “We keep enough to go next year and that’s it.”

Roza said Bennington has proven to be an ideal location for the event after the club outgrew its former space at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park in Elkhorn. “Bennington has been wonderful,” he said. “You have businesses here, places to eat, and friendly people. We don’t have any problems over here.”

Among the record number of participants were several Bennington-area residents displaying vehicles ranging from restored classics to customized modern builds. One of the youngest participants, Elsie Johnson (pictured below), brought her pedal car.

A young girl in a pink jacket is sitting in a small toy car with yellow flames on the side, parked on a sunny street. A sign with her name is placed on the ground next to the car.

Hunter Hermsen brought his 1998 Honda Civic to its very first car show after spending nearly a decade rebuilding the vehicle. “I got the car when I was 14 from my brother,” Hermsen said. “There was literally no front end at all.”

Hermsen (pictured below) said his interest in cars began early, growing up around his mother’s body shop and parents who were both involved in car culture. He also credits the “Fast & Furious” films for inspiring his vision for the Civic.

A man in a blue shirt stands next to a red car with its hood open, showcasing the engine. In the background, there are other classic cars and people sitting nearby in a sunny outdoor setting.

“My goal is hopefully show quality,” he said. “I just want to be one of the top Civics around Omaha.”

Another returning participant, Holdon Johnson (pictured below), displayed his rebuilt 1990 Dodge W150 pickup. Johnson said he earned third place at last year’s show and has continued improving the truck since then. “In the spring this year, I did some axle swapping and kind of just cleaned it up a little bit,” Johnson said.

A young man stands next to a vintage beige truck at a car event, with other cars parked in the background.

Johnson explained the truck had previously been totaled in a crash before he rebuilt it himself. “None of it’s original to the truck,” he said.

For Johnson, the event is less about trophies and more about community. “It’s kind of fun hanging out with other car people,” he said.

Jeff Vollmer also attended alongside his family with his 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu equipped with a 427 engine and five-speed transmission. While newer to the car show scene, Vollmer said his love of classic cars started with attending shows alongside his father.

A father stands with his two children, one on his hip, in front of a classic blue Chevrolet car with the hood open. The background shows other vintage cars and people enjoying a car show on a sunny day.
Jeff Vollmer with kids Parker (left) and Hunter (right).

“I always wanted to do that,” Vollmer said. Now, he hopes to pass that appreciation on to his own children. “I got the kids, so I’ll probably get them involved and show them the cars,” he said.

Vollmer described the Bennington show as one of the strongest turnouts he has seen in recent years. “This brings the community together,” he said. “As you can see, there’s a ton of people here.”

George Schumacher displayed his 1970 Ford Mustang (pictured below), a model originally built for Trans Am racing in 1969 and 1970. Schumacher said he has participated in car shows for roughly five years and enjoys both showcasing the vehicle and connecting with fellow enthusiasts.

“I just like cars, especially Fords,” Schumacher said.

A classic blue muscle car with its hood open, showcasing the engine, parked on a sunny day at a car show. Several other cars and spectators can be seen in the background.

Like many participants, Schumacher emphasized the importance of events like the GEARS show for strengthening community connections. “People come in from all around, and I think it builds community awareness,” he said.

With record attendance this year and continued growth in participation, organizers say the annual event continues to evolve while staying rooted in its original purpose: bringing together car enthusiasts, supporting charitable causes and creating a welcoming atmosphere for the community.

Some results shared with us included:

Best of Show
Dan Gernstein from Omaha, NE
1959 Chevy Wagon

Best Ford
Tom Shuster from Fremont, NE
1954 Mercury Monterey

Best GM
Amber Storm from Elkhorn, NE
1965 Corvette

Best Mopar
Leeland Harvey from Council Bluffs, IA
1967 Dart

Long distance award
Rocky Fey from La Mars, IA
1930 Ford

A colorful lineup of classic cars displayed on a sunny street during a car show, with spectators milling about and taking in the vintage vehicles.
A vibrant street scene featuring various classic cars with hoods raised, alongside crowds of people walking, all under a clear blue sky.
A vintage 1957 Chevy car named 'Penny' displayed at a car show, with a sign detailing its asking price of 40,000 pennies. A man stands next to the car, and other classic cars can be seen in the background under a clear blue sky.
A vintage 1957 Chevy car named 'Penny' displayed at a car show, featuring a sign that lists the purchase price in pennies: 40,000 pennies for $400, weighing 220 pounds.
A clear blue sky over a lively street scene featuring a variety of classic cars and trucks, with people gathered around and enjoying the car show.
A bustling street scene featuring a classic car show, with attendees admiring various vintage vehicles under a clear blue sky.
A classic hot rod car with a shiny chrome engine and flame graphic paint job, parked on a street near a residential building, featuring large rear tires and a vintage design.
A classic orange muscle car with a striped design, parked with its hood open, showcasing the engine. The scene features other classic cars in the background.
Two men examining the engine of a vintage car at a car show, with colorful cars and onlookers in the background.
A man in a white shirt examines a classic car with its hood raised at a car show event, surrounded by a crowd and various vintage vehicles under a sunny sky.
A vintage red car is parked on a sunny street, with several people gathering around other classic cars. The scene is lively, showcasing a car show atmosphere with various car models and attendees enjoying the event.
A vintage blue Chevrolet car with the hood open, showcasing the engine, parked at a car show. Other vehicles are visible in the background.
A vibrant car show featuring multiple classic and modern cars lined up on a street, with spectators walking among the vehicles and flags displayed.
A pickup truck with a wooden bed decorated with various flags, including an American flag, and memorabilia honoring veterans. The truck is parked in a sunny area with trees in the background.
A vintage car decorated in red and white with 'Cornhuskers' lettering, featuring a sign that reads 'If you like the front, you will love my rear end,' alongside a poster of a football stadium. A man sitting in a hat can be seen in the background.
Two young men examining the engine of a classic car at a car show, with various colorful vehicles in the background and an audience observing.
Two people examining a classic red car with its hood open in a parking area, surrounded by a stone wall and a decorative fence.
A crowd of people at a car show, with a focus on a vintage car featuring a penny-covered hood. A man and a girl are examining the car, while others are walking around admiring various classic cars in the background.
A bright red classic car with its hood open, showcasing the engine, while two men observe it on a sunny day at a car show.

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