From hardcore gearheads to casual car fans, the Chicago Auto Show attracts thousands of people from all over the country every year, and 2016 will be no exception.
According to The Rock River Times, the Chicago Auto Show will commence on Feb. 13 amidst much anticipation. The car exhibition has been going on for 115 years and is widely regarded as the largest auto show in the nation.
Taking place at the McCormick Place Convention Center, the Chicago Auto Show utilizes over one million square feet to showcase every type of automobile imaginable. RVs, race cars, exotic luxury vehicles, and family sedans can all be seen at the eclectic event.
This year’s show will unofficially begin on Jan. 12 with “First Look for Charity,” a private event in which over $2 million will be donated to local nonprofit organizations. The black tie function will run from 7-11 p.m., and attendees will be given the chance to win a brand new car.
The low cost of admission is a primary reason that so many auto fans filter in to the McCormick Place Convention Center every single year. General admission is just $12 for adults, $7 for seniors and children, and free for children ages six and under.
One of the biggest attractions at this year’s Chicago Auto Show is the Chevy Bolt EV, a plug-in hybrid car that uses a combination of gas and electricity to operate.
While most car batteries are designed to last only four to six years before needing to be replaced, the Chevy Bolt EV’s battery can last for much longer because it doesn’t solely depend on gasoline.
According to PR Newswire, major corporations have been clamoring over the chance to sponsor the event. This year, the Chicago Auto Show’s roster of sponsors includes State Farm, Cars.com, the Chicago Tribune, and several others.
“More important than their financial impact on the show’s bottom line is the activation each sponsor brings to the show and the fact that the sponsors improve the experience for show attendees,” said Tim McBride, director of sponsorship and marketing for the Chicago Auto Show.
The Chicago Auto Show will be open to the public on Feb. 13 and will conclude on Feb. 21. Chicagoans who missed out on last year’s festivities would be wise to mark the 2016 show on their calendars now.
