2 minute read
Amboy Depot Days
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com Above: Lyla Stage, 9, of Rock Falls sits in Al Kammerer’s 1934 Ford during the 2022 Amboy Depot Days’ car show. Right: Newlyweds Kaitlin and Jordan Crane of Lasalle fill out their 50-50 raffle tickets during the car show.
t’s not every town that can say it has a population explosion once a year.
But not every town rolls out the welcome mat like Amboy does — along with one heck of a car show and a tumbler full of tickets worth a potential six-figure cash prize.
Thousands flood the streets of Amboy each year for the town’s annual Depot Days festival, a celebration of all things Amboy and all things fun in this city of 2,500 people — and they don’t just come for the car show and cash. Depot Days also offers four days of food stands, a beer garden, 5K run/walk, carnival, music and entertainment, the Miss Amboy Pageant and Little Miss Amboy pageant, a pancake breakfast, craft and vendor booths, communitywide garage sales, and more.
The centerpiece of the celebration of city pride is the car show and the 50-50 raffle.
DEPOT DAYS cont’d to page 11 Get To Know Us: Amboy | 2022-23
More info
depotdays.com depotdayscarshow.com Find “Amboy Depot Days 50/50 Drawing” or “Amboy Depot Days” on Facebook
The raffle attracts people from near and far who load up on tickets for a chance to win the grand prize, which has topped the $100,000 mark in recent years.
Last year’s winner, Tim Hord of Dixon, took home $105,580.
In addition to the main pot this year, five others won prizes of $2,000 each during the 2022 festival, which ran from Aug. 25-28.
The car show is one of the largest in Illinois and often attracts more than 450 vehicles downtown in more than 35 classes, including restored classics, muscle cars, street rods, modified vehicles and unique/special interest vehicles. Participants also via for “Best Of” honors in several categories. Tractors also rumble into town for the show.
Depot Days raffle proceeds benefit a wide array of community organizations, including the historic Amboy Depot Museum, local food pantries, Teen Turf, soccer program, school library and Girl Scouts, to name a few. n
Community banking since 1934 … we understand the importance of experience, growth, local decisions in your personal or business financial needs.
Home and personal lenders
Marion King - Franklin Grove - NMLS# 1493020 Katie Gottman - Monroe Center - NMLS# 2339139 Annette Early - Dixon - NMLS# 686407 Elsa Payne - Amboy - NMLS# 1248405 Franny Lilja - Amboy - NMLS# 449810 Kelley Rippentrop - Monroe Center- NMLS# 2009242 Commercial and agriculture lenders
Chas Cross - Monroe Center - NMLS# 1846547 Sarah Wiersema - Amboy - NMLS# 2041883 Susan Gomez - Amboy - NMLS# 1027602 Todd Murr - Dixon - NMLS# 591637 David Lloyd - Franklin Grove - NMLS# 1609858
The First National Bank in Amboy
Amboy Dixon Franklin Grove Monroe Center
Where you come first.
