Vintage military vehicles highlight special day at Bong Center

Vintage Jeeps, trucks and other military vehicles invade the Bong Veterans Historical Center on Saturday.

Benna Ford and the Bong Center present the second annual Military Vehicle Show. The show runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Bong Center.

Admission to the Vehicle Show is $7 for adults, $5 for ages 12-17, and free for children younger than 12; it includes access to the Bong Center’s museum galleries.

Bong Executive Director Bob Fuhrman said this is a special rate and less than regular admission charges, and he encourages families to take advantage of it.

Museum displays on loan this summer include the 20mm German ‘Flak’ 38 anti-aircraft gun and its unique transport trailer.

Last year’s inaugural show welcomed more than 600 people and more than 30 vehicles.

“We’re hoping to see even more vehicles and people this year,” said Fuhrman. “We were so pleased with the response to last year’s show that we never even considered not doing another one. The cornerstone of this show is the willingness of the people who collect and restore these vehicles to share them with our visitors. The collectors love the history they’ve saved, our visitors love the history they see, and they all acknowledge it’s another important way to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans.”

Among the vehicles registered to participate are several versions of the jeep, a WWII ambulance and current vehicles from the U.S. Army. The event’s sponsor, Benna Ford Superior, also has some new Ford vehicles on site, as well as the Veterans’ Vans from Duluth and Douglas County.

Along with the vehicles, there will also be food, snacks and beverages available for purchase. Free parking is available adjacent to the event.

The Bong Center is at 305 Harbor View Parkway, the intersection of Belknap Street and East Second Street.

Tags: community, veterans, military, family, money