2018 Checker Car Club Convention News

A Cruise On The Indiana Heritage Trail

Plans for our 2018 Convention (Tuesday to Saturday - June 26-30, 2018) are now set. So, get ready to drive your Checker on one of the most beautiful country routes in the United States!

Our home base in Elkhart will be the starting gate for our road trips to towns with names like Goshen, Middlebury, Nappanee, Bristol, Wakarusa and Shipshewana.

So, the first thing you should do is make reservations at the MIcrotel Hotel. Our discounted rates will expire at the end of May and the rates will go up to at least $89.99.

Call them or go on line to make the reservation. If you are a Checker Car Club member, make sure you mention it so you can get the discounted room rates that we negotiated. If you are not a member, you may want to consider renewing or joining since the cost of membership is less than the price differential on the hotel rates especially if you stay for 2 nights or more.

You can join on line at www.checkerworld.org/membership.

TUESDAY

Tuesday will be the kick-off for both hotel and convention registrations and the time to get reconnected with old friends and to meet Checker Car Club members who you may not have known before.

We've added one more event to the Convention. On Tuesday, June 26, we'll be going to the Kroozin' USA event at the Concord mall in Elkhart (4:30 PM to 8:00 PM). This is a local car show where you'll be able to show off your Checker to a lot of other car enthusiasts and see their cars too.

WEDNESDAY

On Wednesday, June 27, you can attend the 3rd. largest swap meet in the USA at Shipshewana. It's free to get in and we will receive 25 free parking passes. The vendors are open 8:00 am-5:00 pm.If you do not want to go to the swap meet in Shiphewana, we have some places in Elkhart to visit. Some have an admission fee that you will pay on your own.

THURSDAY

Thursday, June 28, is the Heritage Tour. Fill that Checker gas tank the night before. We will start in Elkhart, go to Wakarusa and Nappanee with stops along the way. Lunch will be in Nappanee followed by our rolling tour through Topeka, Shipshewana, and Middlebury before returning to Elkhart. In Middlebury, our Checkers will be the featured car at the Das Dutchman Essenhaus car show (4:30 PM to 8:00 PM).

To get a feel for the trail, watch this video. You can also download the trail guide (including maps) here.

FRIDAY

Friday, June 29, in the morning we will have our annual 'members only' Board Meeting while all others have breakfast. Then, the fun begins in Elkhart with about 5 locations to vist. At 6:00 p.m. we will go to "The Carriage House" for the Amish Wedding Feast dinner. After the feast we'll have our awards presentation, 50/50 drawing and silent auction.

As always, we look forward to great get-togethers with our Checker friends in the hotel parking lot and the various places that we'll visit from Tuesday to Friday.

Ron Leatz

P.S. The Chubby Trout has 22 craft beers on tap. It's just around the corner from the Microtel. No need to drive!