Grammy on the Go
By Karen Shadrach
A fun event to attend with the grandkids this February is the Cleveland Auto Show at the I-X Center. This show has been a favorite family tradition since 1903. The first show was held in downtown Cleveland at Gray’s Armory, featuring 15 Cleveland-made automobiles. This year’s show will be held at the newly renovated I-X Center, showing more than 500 vehicles, including both classic and new auto models. The Auto Show is the start of the spring automotive selling season in Northern Ohio and is all about showcasing the newest auto designs and technology.
The date of this year’s show is Friday, February 24 through Sunday, March 5. Parking is free and you 
can purchase discounted tickets online or from AAA. Family Day is February 27 and children under 15 are free. Children 6 and under are free every day.
Why take the grandkids to the Auto Show? A car show is a world of sights, sounds and smells that can never be re-created by a video game or social network. Our kids need to see in person classic old and new cars, not only in video games, where they pretend to drive cartoon cars. The young cyber zombies can change their game if we take the time to remove their game devices and introduce them to the car hobby. It all begins with the car show. The show also gives them the opportunity to meet real people who love to talk about their cars, engaging them in real conversations instead of text messages.
The Classic Show is one of the most popular attractions. Grampa loves old cars and even has owned a few. The boys love to point out the different makes and models. My grandson can recognize all the vintage types of cars better than I do! The kids also can recognize the car brands and their logos.
The grandchildren are also drawn to the big trucks and race cars. Dealers allow you to sit in them and pretend to drive. The show also offers mini racers that the kids can drive. A race track game was also in this area and it was difficult to leave!
Millionaire’s row of cars is a very interesting visit. However, we don’t allow the kids to touch or drive any of the cars in this area!
The grandkids were awestruck watching the newest Jeeps and four-wheel drive autos driving up and down along a track with high elevated ramps. Some were leaning to the side plus other obstacles along the course. It looks surreal as they traverse the treacherous terrains. If the grandkids are old enough, they can take a ride during a test drive. For the younger set, just looking at all the different displays of cars, their sizes and colors makes for an exciting adventure. All ages love to sit in the cars and pretend they are driving.
The Auto Show is huge, so you need a plan of attack to successfully navigate this event:
- Have a map of the I-X Center’s floor space so you know where all the models of cars and special attractions are located. Our kids loved to follow on the map and locate the next type of cars they wanted to check out. We slowly make our way through the Chevy, Ford and Dodge areas. It is fun to see all the new designs coming out for the year.
- Have some fun with the kids and let them sit and test the cars and pretend they can purchase one; which one is their favorite and why would they choose it?
- Be prepared and have a bag packed with extra water and small snacks.
- Take a break or two. Walking or running around the I-X Center can be tiring. There are a lot of food choices for a snack break, both from booths and a few food trucks. There always seems to be a frozen yogurt truck that our kids look forward to visiting. Choose your yogurt flavor, and then load it on top with many healthy and non-healthy options!
Enjoy sharing the Auto Show with your grandkids. Who knows? Maybe some year, you’ll be attending the show to actually help them pick out a car for them to drive home!
Photos by Karen Shadrach
