Chicago Auto Show Readies for Big Closing Weekend

CHICAGO, Feb. 18, 2010; With a favorable weather forecast on the horizon, organizers of the 2010 Chicago Auto Show are readying for a big closing weekend for the annual event at McCormick Place.

"Mother Nature has been good to Chicagoans and has made it easy to get to and from the show this year," said John Phelan, chairman of the event. "From our experience, there's a 'weather sweet spot' that hovers right around the freezing point. It's not too cold, too snowy, too windy, too anything--in short, it's just right. And according to all the forecasts, that's what our weekend is shaping up to be."

When showgoers arrive at the nation's biggest auto show, they'll find that the displays will appeal to every member of the family.

"For those looking for a new vehicle, there couldn't be a better place to comparison shop," continued Phelan. "With nearly 1,000 vehicles on the floor in every category, it's a relatively simple exercise to gather information and draw conclusions about what will make it to a customer's short list. Then, after the show, they'll be able to zero-in on a dealership to turn an afternoon of enjoyment into a smart buying decision at a local dealership."

For those not in the immediate market for a new car or truck, the auto show has a century-old tradition of being an affordable, fun day for the entire family. Everything from concept vehicles to competition cars to custom and vintage and military vehicles, the Chicago Auto Show delivers.

If patrons think that the only thing to do at the Chicago Auto Show is to look at cars, then they haven't been down to the show for quite some time. Strewn among the sleek and shiny cars are a multitude of tactile, visual, and physically interactive displays.

A perennial favorite is the Dodge/Jeep Test Track where fans of the brand can climb into Jeep Wrangler or Dodge Ram and have a professional driver take them through their exhilarating obstacle course and climbing hill. For the kiddies, head to the Jeep and Dodge Kidz Court where children can drive their own kid-sized Jeep.

And there's much more for families to do on the floor of the show. Organizers have created a full Internet page of activities, http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/about/InteractiveDisplays.asp, with a complete listing of more than 100 different activities. Daily scheduled appearances are also listed on the site.

Public Show Hours through Feb. 20 are 10 a.m. -10 p.m.; and on closing day, Feb 21, from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. The box office closes one hour prior to the end of the show each day.

Admission is $11 for adults, $7 for seniors aged 62 and older, $7 for children 7-12. Admission is free for children 6 and younger when they accompany a paying adult.

For full information, please visit www.ChicagoAutoShow.com