Back to the 50’s is back after year off due to pandemic

Back to the 50’s is back!

Thousands of hot rods, classic cars and restored vehicles are revving their engines again at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds after the event was canceled last year because of the pandemic, and this year’s event had to come together rather quickly.

"This is my favorite weekend of the whole year, I love it," said Jennifer Gardner, a classic car owner who lives in Shakopee.

Gardner has been coming to the event since she was a baby, and she’s proud to show off her classic Ford.

"It’s part of the family, it’ll never be sold," Gardner said.

As crowds of people filled the streets early Friday morning, event organizers knew this was close to not happening for the second year in a row.

"They gave us this list of restrictions, and they were impossible to do, and so we canceled and then 10 days later we find out that all those restrictions have been lifted, and we can do it," Linda Lucas, who’s on the MSRA Board of Directors, said.

With COVID restrictions loosened, Lucas said they put together everything for Back to the 50’s in five weeks, when it normally takes 20 weeks.

"We do it the same way we do it or we don’t do it at all, and we voted to have it," Lucas said.

From all your favorite fair foods and drinks to around 11,000 classic cars, this event truly means a lot to those who make it all possible.

"When those cars came in and I’m doing this live video for everyone to see, I started crying. The smell of exhaust, the fumes, the sound of those engines, the pretty colors of the cars, it is such fun," Lucas said.

Just like many of the cars at this event have a story, Gardner’s has one too.

"My dad would actually drive this to high school," Gardner said.

Years ago, the car needed some work done, but Gardner’s father died. While it sat collecting dust in storage, close friends and family decided to help fix it up for her.

"At the end of all that, they gifted it back to us," Gardner said.

There’s even a tribute to her dad on the front.

"I can’t thank them enough, it’s been really, really fun and they definitely gave us a gift that we wouldn’t have been able to have without that," Gardner said.

Back to the 50’s brings out a sense of pride in what you drive, and Gardner is grateful it also helps her connect with her dad once again.

"Every time we take it, it’s like a piece of him is back with us again so I think that’s probably the coolest part," Gardner said.

For more information on Back to the 50’s, click here.