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August 24, 2015

Emergency Vehicle Meet at Gilmore Car Museum

On Sunday, August 30th, from 9am – 5pm the Gilmore Car Museum will host their very first Emergency Vehicle Show, featuring both new and vintage police, fire, and rescue vehicles. “We are very excited about this event,” said the Museum’s Executive Director, Michael Spezia. “This is great opportunity for families and their children to get an up close look at these fascinating vehicles.” “The 90-acre campus of the Gilmore Car Museum, is the perfect setting for this event,” said Assistant Chief Rick Hoffman of the Richland Fire Department, who spear-headed the idea of bringing emergency vehicles together for a show. Hoffman continued, “I can’t think of a better place to showcase to the public this important part of our history.” “Originally a few of us firemen had thought about hosting a fire truck muster,” Hoffman explained, “and maybe in the future creating a fire house museum on the grounds of the Gilmore.” A decision was made to be more inclusive and hold a one day show for all emergency vehicles to gage interest in the community. “The response has been fantastic,” said Portage fire fighter Andy Campbell, who has also helped plan the event. Richland Trucks 05-07 003The show has already gathered a lot of interest and vehicles have been confirmed from as far as Indiana and mid-Ohio. The Gilmore Car Museum also received confirmation that a rare 1959 Edsel police car, an Adam-12 and Starsky and Hutch cars, a Model T Ford paddy wagon, 1919 Dodge wrecker, and 1926 fire truck will be on the show field. Several local police and fire departments will be exhibiting everything from patrol cars to K-9 units, S.W.A.T equipment to mobile command centers, plus ambulances, specialty rescue units, and large ladder trucks. The Great Lakes Burn Camp, which provides a unique experience to burn injured children, will also have a display and dunk tank at the show. The Michigan State Police and the Indiana State Police Museum are also scheduled to take part in the day’s festivities. The public is invited to this family friendly event, with gates opening at 9am on Sunday morning. General admission, which includes access to the entire Gilmore Car Museum plus the Emergency Vehicle Show is $12.00 for adults, with children under 11 and Museum Members admitted for free. Departments and municipalities, along with their crews, that bring an emergency vehicle or display to the show are also free. Hobbyists and collectors, who have preserved many of these often overlooked emergency vehicles, are encouraged to show their police cars, fire trucks, or ambulances as well for only $6.00 per person. The all-new Emergency Vehicle Show to be held August 30th at Gilmore Car Museum appears to be well on its way to becoming the largest gathering of emergency vehicles and community departments in the mid-west! Special thanks to the show's 2015 sponsor, Spartan Motors. Spartan Motors Logo The Gilmore Car Museum, featuring over 350 antique, classic and collector cars and vintage motorcycles, is located just 20 minutes northeast of Kalamazoo on M-43 and Hickory Road. To learn more about the Gilmore Car Museum visit: www.GilmoreCarMuseum.org or call 269-671-5089.