Join us for an Oktoberfest celebration as we visit the largest all-German car show in America at one of the country's largest auto museums. The mission of the Gilmore Car Museum is to tell the history of America through the automobile, and what started as a personal collection of Donald S. Gilmore has blossomed to a collection of over 400 vehicles on display in over 209,000 square feet of exhibit space on a 90-acre campus in the small southwestern Michigan town of Hickory Corners.

The car show on Saturday, October 17th, from 9 am - 3 pm features all German makers, including Audi, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen, and covers the gamut from trailer queens to daily drivers. For $35, you can register your car and gain access for both the driver and one guest which also includes admission to the museum. Pre-registration online two weeks in advance is recommended, but you can still register your car on-site on the day of the show. Additional passengers or general admission spectator rate of $25 (if you’re not registering a car). Parking is free. Dress the part if you’d like, with a German costume! Trophies will be awarded for the best traditionally dressed gentleman, lady, and family. Will be lots of German food available along with an Oktoberfest Market displaying handmade crafts and antiques.

Schedule for Friday, October 16, 2026:

7 am meet up at Cincinnati Premium Outlets at Rte 75 intersection in Monroe, Ohio, for caravan (TBD based on location of participants. Car pooling can also be coordinated if desired)

12:30 pm meet for lunch at the Pedal Car Cafe at the Gilmore Museum (We’ll play this one by ear depending on the arrival times of participants)

1:30 pm - 5 pm tour the Gilmore museum at your own pace ($20 admission)

5 pm - 6:15 pm transit to hotel (DoubleTree by Hilton Battle Creek) in Battle Creek, MI, and check in

6:30 pm meet in the hotel lobby and walk to Kitchen Proper restaurant in downtown Battle Creek for a group dinner

Saturday, July 11, 2026:

9 am - 3 pm DeutscheMarques car show at the Gilmore Museum (register your car in advance or just be a spectator) Beer Hall is open from 10:30am to 4:00pm

Return home on your own at your convenience anytime Saturday afternoon, or stay an extra day to tour the museum further and return the following day. Hotel accommodations will be scheduled and paid for individually.

Please email events@mbcacincy.org with any questions and please RSVP by October 3, 2026.

Below is the link to the Gilmore Car Museum website