Minnesota Prairie Roots

Writing and photography by Audrey Kletscher Helbling

Crazy about cars in Kenyon, Part II August 26, 2014

Vintage vehicles lined several blocks of a residential neighborhood just off the main drag through town, Minnesota State Highway 60. The location was perfect for those wishing to check out the downtown.

Vintage vehicles lined several blocks of a residential neighborhood just off the main drag, Minnesota State Highway 60. The location was perfect for those wishing to check out downtown Kenyon.

A RECENT CAR SHOW in Kenyon, at this southern Minnesota community’s annual Rose Fest, presented a multitude of photo ops.

I'm always drawn to details like this dice on a lock.

I’m always drawn to details like this die on a lock.

I focused on the shiny, the unusual, the beautiful, the interesting, the whatever caught my eye.

I called this a hippie van.

I called this a hippie van.

And between all that photographing, I met John, a former co-worker of my husband, and John’s wife, Diane. John and Randy had not seen each other in something like 35 years, when they worked together at a Rochester automotive parts store. John recognized Randy first. It was a wonderful moment, to see these two guys reconnect.

So sometimes it is not all about the cars. It is about the people and the moments. And rats if I didn’t fail to photograph that reunion.

Enjoy these images from the Rose Fest Car Show, minus John and Randy.

I prefer original, but some guys like to modify their cars.

I prefer original, but some guys like to modify their cars.

Love the graceful curves of this Bel Air.

Love the graceful curves of this Bel Air.

A mini version of the car always draws my artistic attention.

A mini version of the car always draws my artistic attention.

Composing this image, I appreciated the melding of car and beautiful house. Turns out the house is a funeral home.

Composing this image, I appreciated the melding of car and beautiful house. Turns out the house is a funeral home.

So many trophies I wondered if everyone gets one.

So many trophies I wondered if everyone gets one.

I'm ever watchful for shiny bumpers and reflections.

I’m ever watchful for shiny bumpers and reflections.

Remember going to the A & W drive-in?

Remember going to the A & W drive-in?

I still don't understand this staging.

I still don’t understand this staging.

All original.

All original.

Always appreciate the dice.

Always appreciate the dice.

A Chevy my husband likely wishes he owned.

A Chevy my husband likely wishes he owned.

Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

 

Roses & cars in Kenyon August 25, 2014

Kenyon, Minnesota, welcomes visitors to its recent Rose Fest.

Kenyon, Minnesota, welcomes visitors to its recent Rose Fest.

WOULD YOU EXPECT to find roses at a car show?

I thought not.

One of many beautiful roses spotted at the car show.

One of many beautiful roses spotted at the car show.

But in the small southern Minnesota community of Kenyon, organizers of the Rose Fest Car Show handed out roses to early arrivals. How sweet is that?

Another rose spotted...

Another rose spotted…

An unexpected surprise. A rose on a dashboard. A rose lying on a car seat. A rose on an engine.

Kenyon's Boulevard of Roses cuts through Minnesota Highway 60.

Kenyon’s Boulevard of Roses cuts through Minnesota Highway 60. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.

Now I’ve been to quite a number of car shows, but never to the one in Kenyon, where roses are planted for blocks in the boulevard of Minnesota State Highway 60 running through the heart of town.

This car show impressed me. I can’t pinpoint precisely why I so enjoyed this show. But I found lots to draw my eye from the quirky to the nostalgic to the shiny and more.

Enjoy these images from the Rose Fest Car Show. And then check back tomorrow for more photos.

Loved this car.

Loved this car.

My absolute favorite moment, and shot, for the wistfulness. He was so immersed in admiring those trophies that he didn't even notice me snapping away.

My absolute favorite moment, and shot. This boy was so immersed in admiring trophies that he didn’t even notice me.

But Chad noticed me because I asked him to stand still so I could photograph his tattoo

But Chad noticed me because I asked him to stand still so I could photograph the tattoo of his 1958 VW bus Westfalia…

...which looks like this from the front.

…which looks like this from the front…

...and this inside, all ready for camping.

…and this inside, all ready for camping.

Definitely not as family-friendly as Chad's VW bus art.

Definitely not as family-friendly as Chad’s VW bus art.

Another favorite of mine, the Roadrunner.

Another favorite of mine, the Roadrunner.

Every vehicle is marked, so if you're a serious student of vintage cars (I'm not), the necessary info is right there.

Every vehicle is marked, so if you’re a serious student of vintage cars (I’m not), the necessary info is right there.

I've never seen anything like this backward opening hood.

I’ve never seen anything like this backward opening hood.

© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling