Luverne Auto ShowThe following appeared in the Rock County Herald on March 7, 1930:LUVERNE AUTO SHOW WILL CLOSE TONIGHTOutstanding Amusement Programs Planned for Closing Day Expected to Draw Largest Attendance.AUTOMOBILE EXHIBITS UNUSUALLY ATTRACTIVEComplete Change in Today’s Afternoon and Evening Attractions and — Big Dance to Close Show Tonight.Luverne’s 5th annual Auto show, which opened at the Armory Wednesday, will be in full swing today and will come to a close late tonight, after complete afternoon and evening programs. Not the least attraction of the last mentioned period will be the community dance, which was also a feature of the auto show last evening.In other words, today is expected to be the biggest of the two best days, for while Wednesday was entrance day, it was given over entirely to a showing of the latest models of 1930 cars without any formal entertainment program, while today, like yesterday, the afternoon and evening will be crowded with entertainment features of an unusual nature.Nine of Luverne’s automobile concerns joined in making the 5th annual show possible under the auspices of the Luverne Commercial club. The exhibits consisted of Dodge cars by the Service Auto Co., Studebakers and a Pierce Arrow Eight, by Mason & Nesguthe, Graham-Paiges by the Rock Motor company, Willys-Knights and Whippets by the Schoon Motor Co., Oaklands and Pontiacs by the Grout Motor Co., Fords by the Urquhart Motor Co., Chryslers and Plymouths by the New City Auto Co., Chevrolets and Buicks by the Home Automotive Co., and fire trucks by the Luverne Fire Apparatus Co.In order to accommodate the large crowds that attended the show last night, and also the equally large crowds expected tonight, the arrangements were to move the motor cars each of these nights from the Armory at 7:00 o’clock, this making it possible to utilize the greater part of the floor space for the late evening dancing.No admission charge was made for any of the programs except for those of last evening and tonight, when the admission will be 25 cents, with an additional charge of 15 cents for seats in the balcony. The liberality of this arrangement will be better appreciated when the cost of securing the professional entertainers who appear on the programs, is considered, for it is only through liberal response of the motor car concerns of this city in taking display space that the show with its elaborate entertainment features was made possible. The gate receipts from the two evening programs at which admission charges are required, would not be sufficient to come anywhere near financing the project.This year’s show was formally opened to the public at 2:00 o’clock Wednesday afternoon and inspection of the different automobiles occupied the center of the stage with but one diversion, and that a concert by the Luverne high school band at 4:00 o’clock. Beginning at 8:00 o’clock in the evening the band gave another concert and this was followed by violin and guitar duets by Jensen and Tofteland.Following the noon hour yesterday the pretentious entertainment program was presented, with Don Adams, of Minneapolis, in the role of master of ceremonies. The offering consisted of nine different numbers, practically all of them by professional entertainers. The evening program opened at 7:45 o’clock and sixteen separate entertainment features were scheduled before the dancers were given the floor. Today’s afternoon and evening program will represent a complete change and will be just as varied and extensive as that given yesterday. Most of the many show attendants were emphatic in declaring that the exhibit of motor cars was by far the most impressive that had ever been made at a Luverne show and much enthusiasm was shown over practically all the models exhibited.It is felt that this year’s show will play an important part in promoting more interest in the superb models being shown.Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.
