It’s grown into an outdoor event for variety of interests
During a year when many civic clubs and organizations were forced to put their fundraisers and service events on hold, the Delavan Lions Club has been able to regroup and work with various businesses and organizations to hold different events.
“The support and sponsorship our club has received for this event and others over the past year has been truly amazing,” said Sara Deschner, Delavan Lions Club president.
The next event on the docket is an open class truck show for all collectible and modified trucks. The date is Saturday, May 22 and the location is in downtown Delavan.
But this is not your run-of-the-mill truck show, according to Deschner. There will be plenty of resources and advice for any budding trucking enthusiasts. From providing a Guide to truck insurance for new drivers to talks on finding the best collectible vehicles to charitable efforts, there’s something for everyone.
“What started out as a simple truck show has grown into a fantastic outdoor event that will cater to many different interests,” she said.
The day kicks off with the Cruisin’ 5K – organized and operated by Transform Nation.
“We are so thankful that Johanna Adams from Transform Nation thought of the Delavan Lions Club and that she wanted to work with us,” Deschner said.
The missions of Lions Club International, she explained, are centralized around the health and wellbeing of individuals and the community. The global missions are: helping prevent avoidable blindness, diabetes awareness and prevention, fighting childhood cancer, supporting clean environment practices, and fighting hunger.
“The proceeds from the 5K will be donated toward diabetes awareness and prevention,” she said.
The 5K will start in Phoenix Park at 9 a.m. that day. There will be a 1-mile Family Fun walk/run that will start at 9:30 a.m.
After the 5K, the truck show officially starts at 10 a.m. The registration table opens at 8 a.m. for show participants to register their vehicles.
Kevin Atkinson is in charge of the truck show portion of the day.
“We have worked with city officials and the Delavan Police Department to ensure that we have a plan for parking and managing the show vehicles,” he said.
The truck show runs until 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
Registration for a show vehicle is $20 and the proceeds, again, will benefit the Delavan Lions Club.
Food and beverage will also be available for purchase.
“The Delavan Lions Club is selling the food, but we are doing an exciting partnership for beverages this year,” Deschner said.
The Lions Club is working with the Delavan American Legion, which will be selling all beverages – alcoholic and non-alcoholic – at their outdoor beverage garden on the north side of the Legion Hall.
“The Delavan American Legion is a great group of people and they serve a very important group in our community – our veterans and their families,” she said. “We are thrilled to be able to work with them on this event.”
Proceeds from all beverage sales will benefit both the Delavan Lions Club and the Delavan American Legion.
And, to make the day even more enjoyable, the Delavan Lions Club is bringing entertainment to town for the day.
“We will have Pat McCurdy, Alyssia Dominguez and the Zac Matthews Band performing. There is great variety with these entertainers and having them perform on our outdoor stage right on South 2nd Street will allow people to come and listen comfortably and safely – while remaining outside and social distancing,” Deschner said.
The Delavan Lions Club also reminds guests that there is another event happening on the May 22 in downtown Delavan – the Spring Delavan Wine Walk.
“The wine walk will be starting at 3:30 and people will be able to visit their wine tasting locations while listening to the Zac Matthews Band playing on the stage. It will be a very fun day to be downtown,” Deschner said.
She said the Lions Club planned the truck show event so people can be outside.
“(They can) walk and keep themselves at a comfortable distance, and yet have a very fun day,” she said. “I hope everyone takes advantage of the generosity of our sponsors who have made all of this possible.”
Sponsors for the Lions Club truck show include: Mac’s Moving and Storage, Advanced Auto Clinic, Noble Insurance, Delavan Connect Communities, TNT Ace Hardware, Strategic Materials, MPEC NAPA, Korey’s Auto Kare, Financial Advisors, Licoreria La Costera, Kolnik Trucking, 104.5 WSLD and the Delavan American Legion.
To learn more about the May 22 events happening in downtown Delavan – as well as finding links to register for the 5K, the truck show and the wine walk, visit www.delavanlionsclub.org.
