Rally for a Cause

Fathers, you do not want to miss the upcoming Randy Klinski Memorial Car Show, Father’s Day Weekend in downtown Caledonia.

The show takes place Saturday, June 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the town’s annual Founder’s Day celebration. Over 50 entries will be lined up on main street.

The show is named in honor of local car enthusiastic Randy Klinski who passed away in 2015.

Caledonia Founder’s Day committee member and organizer of the car show, Kevin Jacobson explained, “One year toward the end of the car show, I gathered the Founder’s Day committee together and said I think this needs to be the Randy Klinski Memorial Car Show, because Deb keeps bringing Randy’s cars and it’s just cool, you know. Anyone who puts that much effort into bringing those cars to a car show. We made a spur of the moment decision.” Debby added, “It was a no brainer.” At the end of the show Jacobson announced that the car show would be named after Klinski. He went on to add that shortly after that Deb decided that she should be on the Founder’s Day committee.

Klinski and his wife Debby spent their entire life in the Caledonia area. The couple have three sons, Joe, Jason, and Justin plus a carload of grandchildren. The family still operates Randy’s farm, Rocky Meadows, that kept him busy outdoors.

In addition to farming, Randy loved American motor cars. Once again Debby and sons will be bringing Randy’s Javelin, the Rebel Machine, AMX, and Jeep Wagoneer to the show as well as their son’s restored Hornet.

Debby explained that Klinski saw one at a show and started looking into it, “We purchased our first one in 2005, a 1973 GMC Javelin AMX.”

Jacobson joined the Founder’s Day committee 10 years ago, explaining that the only way he would serve on the committee was if they would have a car show; thus, the beginning of Caledonia’s car show.

Owners can begin registering their vehicles at 10:30 a.m. with registration taking place at the corner of Kingston & Main, at the only stoplights in Caledonia. The entry fee is $10.

There are five car classes:

1. Pre-1960

2. 1961-1970

3. 1971-1980

4. 1981-1990

5. 1991 and up

First and second place trophies will be given to the Best Car, Best Truck, Best Motorcycle, Best Tractor, and Best AMC (American Motors). There will also be People’s Choice and Furthest Traveled awards.

Funds raised allow the committee to give out two $500 scholarships each year. Debby added, “We would like to expand that.”

The high school students are required to write an essay. This year 21 essays were submitted. The students answered the following question: “What does community mean to you growing up in a small town?” Debby noted that the scholarship can be used for anything; students just need to pass the first semester.

Jacobson stressed the importance of community involvement, “I know there are a lot of people that have cars even that live in Caledonia that sit in the garage or shop that day. We would like to see everyone with a classic car show up, whether you think it is a car show quality or not.”

Jacobson’s 1971 Chevy Nova will be in the show.

On Father’s Day, Visit Bluff Country Magazine is hosting the first-ever “Father’s Day Cruise for a Cause.” The cruise starts at 11 a.m. in Caledonia and weaves it way through the scenic Bluff Country communities of Houston, Rushford, Lanesboro, Harmony, Preston, Fountain, and Chatfield. Funds raised from the Sunday car cruise will benefit Kendall Hammell of Chatfield, Minn., who was diagnosed with leukemia. Donations will be accepted the day of the car cruise or can be dropped off at Root River State Bank in Chatfield, Minn.

For additional information, contact Jacobson at (507) 450-3433.  You can also pre-register for both at visitbluffcountry.com/carshowcruise.