Category Archives: Special Events

Newsletter - The British Marque, Special Events

8th Annual Halloween “Mystery” Cruise – British Marque

8th Annual Halloween “Mystery” Cruise

By Brian Davis

The final IFLBCC driving event of 2022 featured a Fall drive down some of Central Illinois’ scenic back roads to Haynes on Main, Mackinaw Valley winery PLUS a “Surprise” stop at a private collection of cars, neon, trains, toys and MUCH more!

The 8th Annual Halloween “Mystery” cruise began just west of Bloomington, on October 29, where owners of approximately fifteen British vehicles gathered for the day’s Drivers Meeting. Alan Kleinschmidt was the event organizer and led the Drivers Meeting and the drives throughout the day.

Cruise organizer, Alan Kleinschmidt, holds the Cruise Drivers Meeting

Our first destination was a “Mystery” location until that morning.  Alan had arranged for our group to drive to an unidentified location where members were treated to a vast collection of vehicles, man cave memorabilia and a train layout with 1,050 feet of track.=

The owner of the collection had his friend act as the Conductor for the various scaled trains that traveled through many villages and Disney themed vignettes.  The layout included 92 buildings, 232 characters, 6 monorails and 2400 miniature lights. This beautiful facility was spacious and allowed out group to leisurely browse the collection or sit and visit.

Leonard Lee and Rudy checking the Web as the Elimons, Judy Bess, Mike Shuck and Carol Brown take a break from touring the beautiful private collection.
A small corner of Dr. Kruger’s vast collection of cars, memorabilia and collectables

The next stop on our adventure was Haynes on Main, 108 S. Main St., Mackinaw, IL for lunch.  It was a beautiful Fall Day, so to add to our experience we traveled along Old Peoria Road and a variety of twisty scenic roads.

Haynes is a wonderful smalltown tavern that set aside a private dining area just for our group.  Several members that could not make the start of the drive joined us for lunch.

Mike Shuck, Todd Reid, Rudy Mortimer, Gary Brown and Alan Kleinschmidt making the tough decisions on what to have for lunch.

After lunch, the group continued on to Mackinaw Valley Vineyards for a little taste of the grape. The winery features a large variety of wines for tasting as well as an extensive gift shop and beautiful grounds.  After selecting our beverages, the group retired to the large deck that overlooks the expanse of grape arbors.

Alan Kleinschmidt and Gary Brown wine tasting at the Mackinaw Valley Winery

Late that afternoon we bid goodbye to our friends and IFLBCC group cruises for 2022.  We still had our November and December Natter ‘n Noggin to look forward to and to take a moment to look back on all of the terrific Club activities that 2022 had to offer.

By the time you’re reading this the Illinois Flat Land British Car Club will have begun planning our premier event of 2023, the 3-day Champagne British Car Festival.  The featured marque for 2023 will be All MGs.  We’re delighted to announce that John Twist will be speaking at the Saturday banquet and hosting his popular “Rolling Tech Session” during the Sunday car show at David Davis Mansion.

Drives, Special Events

8th Annual Halloween “Mystery” Cruise – October 29, 2022

WHAT: A Fall drive down some of Central Illinois’ scenic back roads to Haynes on Main, Mackinaw Valley winery PLUS a “Surprise” stop at a private collection of cars, neon, trains, toys and MUCH more!

FOOD AND DRINK: We’ll be visiting Haynes on Main, 108 S. Main St., Mackinaw, IL for lunch. The group will also caravan to the Mackinaw Valley Vineyard for a glass of wine and excellent views from the veranda. Along the way . . . . that MYSTERIOUS private collection that you do NOT want to miss!

WHERE: The cruise will begin forming at the Circle K station, 2302 W Market St, Bloomington, IL 61705, Saturday, October 29th at 10:00 am. We will depart Circle K promptly at 10:15 am. If you can’t make the cruise, please feel free to join us at Haynes on Main for lunch!

After lunch, a group will drive to Mackinaw Valley Vineyards for a little taste of the grape. When leaving the Vineyard, those who want to head back can take Rt 9 to Bloomington. Those who want more adventure, you can follow us back along Old Peoria Road and more scenic roads.

WHEN: October 29th, 2022. Lunch at Haynes on Main, Mackinaw, IL will begin approximately 12:00 PM.

WHY: To enjoy some fall scenery, our “Surprise” private collection stop, lunch and then our final stop at Mackinaw Valley Vineyard, 33633 State Rt. 9, Mackinaw, IL with a glass of wine and good friends.

RSVP: RSVP is important so that Haynes on Main can get set up for us. If you have any questions or comments about the event please email Alan Kleinschmidt at al[email protected] or call Alan at 309.824.6490

Haynes on Main Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/HaynesOnMain/

Mackinaw Valley Winery: https://www.mackinawvalleyvineyard.com/

Special Events

3rd Annual IFLBCC Harvest Days Cruise-in & Picnic – Sugar Grove Nature Center (Funk’s Grove) – Sat. October 15th

WHAT: Join us for the IFLBCC Cruise-in and Picnic at the Sugar Grove Nature Center in Historic Funks Grove! The Sugar Grove Nature Center (SGNC) pavilion and firepit provide the perfect Fall setting for a safe and “socially distanced” gathering.  

  • The pavilion has lots of picnic tables and can be partially sheltered if necessary.
  • SCNC provided privies are available nearby. 
  • Please bring whatever you would like to eat & drink, along with table service for yourselves.
  • Weiner roasting sticks will be available for use at the FIRE PIT!  
  • Limited seating on the fire pit ring. (Tip: Bring camping chairs?)

From the SGNC website:

The Grounds, Trails, and Imagination Grove are open daily from dawn until dusk, as are the Picnic Shelter, Corn Crib, and Privies. Imagination Grove will not have nets, containers, or toys available for public use. You may bring your own, but please take them with you, along with any trash or other items that you have brought. We suggest you bring your own hand sanitizer and please practice social distancing.

WHEN: Saturday, October 15th, 2022 from 4:00PM to 7:00PMWHY: To enjoy some fall scenery, an afternoon lunch and some Natter ‘n Noggin around the fire with good friends.

BONUS:BRING THOSE BRITISH CARS!

RSVP: If you think you’re coming, please click GOING on the IFLBCC Halloween Weiner Roast event:

https://fb.me/e/1PDffBae7
Sugar Grove Nature Center:https://www.sugargrovenaturecenter.org/

Harvest Days.jpg

CBCF-IFLBCC Logos.png
Illinois Flat Land British Car Club

Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IFLBCC/

Special Events

Celebrate British Car Week at the Champagne British Car Festival June 5th

British Car Week is an annual awareness week intended for owners of Classic British Cars to get their cars out of the garage and drive them. While doing so, all who are involved will help create awareness of the classic British car hobby in local communities wherever there is participation.

Did you know the British Car Week culminates with the Champagne British Car Festival on June 5, 2022? CBCF-Bloomington.com

It doesn’t matter whether your car is in better than new condition, or perhaps it’s a less than perfect unrestored gem, we love them all! As long as it can be safely driven down the road, this is a great opportunity to show off your favorite car and take advantage of what British car motoring is all about.

Meanwhile, if you want to drive your car and need some ideas for places to go . . . Plan on joining us for the Atlanta, IL Cruise-in and Poker Chip Run on June 4th! Drives, pop-up street show, car collections and more! https://facebook.com/events/s/cbcf-atlanta-il-cruise-in-car-/1318354025270623/

British car events are always a lot of fun, and a great place to meet others who share the same enthusiasm for our beloved old British transportation of the past.

https://www.britishcarweek.org/

https://www.britishcarweek.org/events.html

https://www.britishcarweek.org/bcw_002.html

Drives, Special Events

2nd Annual IFLBCC Harvest Days Cruise-in & Picnic – Sugar Grove Nature Center (Funk’s Grove)

WHAT: Join us for the final IFLBCC Cruise-in and Picnic at the Sugar Grove Nature Center in Historic Funks Grove! The Sugar Grove Nature Center (SGNC) pavilion and firepit provide the perfect Fall setting for a safe and “socially distanced” gathering.  

  • The pavilion has lots of picnic tables and can be partially sheltered if necessary.
  • SCNC provided privies are available nearby. 
  • Due to COVID, we will not be providing or sharing food items.
  • Please bring whatever you would like to eat & drink, along with table service for yourselves.
  • Weiner roasting sticks will be available for use at the FIRE PIT!  (Tip: Bring camping chairs?)

From the SGNC website:

The Grounds, Trails, and Imagination Grove are open daily from dawn until dusk, as are the Picnic Shelter, Corn Crib, and Privies. Imagination Grove will not have nets, containers, or toys available for public use. You may bring your own, but please take them with you, along with any trash or other items that you have brought. We suggest you bring your own hand sanitizer and please practice social distancing.

WHERE: Sugar Grove Nature Center, 4532 N 725 East Road, McLean, IL 61754 – Directions

WHEN: Saturday, October 16th, 2021 from 2:00PM to 5:00PM

WHY: To enjoy some fall scenery, an afternoon lunch and some Natter ‘n Noggin around the fire with good friends.

BONUS: Weather permitting (and interest) a drive is being planned . . . . .so BRING THOSE BRITISH CARS!

RSVP: If you think you’re coming, please click GOING on the IFLBCC Halloween Weiner Roast event: https://fb.me/e/2Rtv3BK2T

Sugar Grove Nature Center: https://www.sugargrovenaturecenter.org/

Illinois Flat Land British Car Club

Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IFLBCC/

CBCF - Champagne British Car Festival, Special Events

CBCF 2020 – Friday Night Welcome Reception

Start your Champagne British Car Festival weekend by joining us Friday evening, May 29, 2020 for the CBCF Welcome Reception, sponsored by the Illinois Flat Land British Car Club.

Our reception is an informal Meet & Greet with fellow British car owners at the Host Hotel – Double Tree Hotel and Conference Center.

The reception will be held from 5:00pm to 9:00pm on the interior patio area of the Double Tree Conference Center.

We hope you’ll enjoy the complimentary appetizers provided by the IFLBCC. A cash bar with a wide variety of beverage options will be available.

If you’re already registered for Sunday’s show, you may pick up your Welcome Packets at the reception.

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to meet fellow British car enthusiasts, hang out and check out each other’s cars!
Not registered yet!?  Click here . . . http://www.CBCF-Bloomington.com   

Car Shows, CBCF - Champagne British Car Festival, Special Events

2019 Champagne British Car Festival

Champagne British Car Festival Celebrates its 28th year in Central Illinois!

The Champagne British Car Festival (CBCF) had its beginnings as an all-British car show held at a community college in Springfield, IL.  It soon relocated to Urbana-Champaign in the spring of 1992.  In 2010, the festival moved to Bloomington, IL where the show found its current location at the David Davis Mansion on the City’s near east side.   

What’s happening at the Champagne British Car Festival THIS YEAR?

  • The CBCF weekend begins Friday evening May 31st with an informal gathering of fellow British car owners in the Eastland Room of the Eastland Suites Hotel and Conference Center .
  • The fun continues Saturday June 1st with a self-guided “rally-style” tour of local car collections and a delicious sit-down banquet at the highly rated Biaggi’s Italian Restaurant.  
  • The Saturday evening banquet features this year’s Honorary Chairman and Guest Speaker, Burt Levy, the “World’s Fastest Novelist”.  Burt authored The Last Open Road , a story that transports the reader to the summer of 1952 and incredible characters that leading us on one hilarious adventure after another.  http://www.lastopenroad.com/index.html
  • The weekend culminates on Sunday, June 2nd with the Champagne British Car Show on beautiful Clover Lawn of David Davis Mansion, Bloomington, IL.  The David Davis Mansion provides a wonderful backdrop to display over 125 British cars.   The festival includes music, vendors, food and beverage options, tables and chairs to enjoy your meal and drinks.  The entire grounds will be festooned with colorful Union Jacks and British car manufacturer’s flags. 

More than 125 British cars are expected at this popular annual event, organized by members of the Flat Land British Car Club.  Along with the usual influx of MGs, Triumphs, and Austin-Healeys, other British marques on display include Jaguar, Bentley, Cobra, Morgan, Lotus, Mini and Rootes.

ALL Lotus cars get the Featured Marque spotlight at the 28th annual Champagne British Car Festival being held June 2nd at the David Davis Mansion State Historic Site in Bloomington, IL.  

Lotus cars return as the 2019 CBCF Marque of the Year.  Lotus Cars is a British automotive company[4] that manufactures sports cars and racing cars in its headquarters in Hethel, United Kingdom. Lotus cars include the Esprit, Elan, Europa, Elise, Exige and Evora .  Lotus has had motor racing success with Team Lotus in Formula One.   ALL vintage and modern Lotus cars are encouraged to come strut their stuff as the Featured Marque for 2019.

The festival’s car show runs from 9:00 am until the awards ceremony at 2:30 pm on Sunday, June 2.  Awards are presented for the top three cars in their individual classes and for the spectator selected “Peoples Choice”.  The State Farm Cup is awarded for the car selected as the best among the previous year’s class winners.

For more information, visit www.cbcf-bloomington.com  or the IFLBCC Facebook Event – Click Here

As with most car shows, the enthusiasts who volunteer their time and  efforts have made the CBCF what it is today. The Champagne British Car Festival has become an annual event for many British car enthusiasts in the Midwest since 1991.

Got A Question About the Champagne British Car Festival?

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