Tag Archives: celebrations

MINIs On The Mac – August 3, 2013 – drive from DSM to St. Ignace, MI

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MINIs On The Mac

As you know, there will be an attempt to set a new Guinness Book of World Records mark for the most MINIs/Mini Coopers in a parade at the Straits of Mackinac Bridge on Saturday, August 3. The goal is to have at least 1,451 cars, and one lane of the bridge itself will be closed to all traffic EXCEPT the MINI/Mini parade.

This is going to be one of the largest gatherings of MINIs in the world, and will certainly be the largest such gathering ever for the U.S. If you’re a MINIac like me (Roger Sitterly), that makes this an absolute “must-do” event, so I’ve already registered. Now, I’ll be working with contacts in Nebraska and Iowa to see if we can assemble a single caravan of Nebraska/Iowa owners for the trip to northern Michigan.

Tentatively, the route to get there would be through Green Bay, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan so that registration packets can be picked up in St. Ignace on the way to participants’ motels Friday night without the need to cross the bridge to get them (and then, perhaps, cross it again to get to a motel in Mackinaw City). The total distance from Des Moines  to Mackinaw City (no matter how you get there) is between 690 and 725 miles, so tentative plans are to take two days to do the drive. This will be especially important if the caravan includes owners from Nebraska who will have an additional 130 or more miles to drive the first day just to get to Des Moines.

The event is now about four weeks away, and those who plan to attend should be making motel reservations quickly because area lodging are filling up. If anyone who plans to attend would like to join in a caravan to the area, please let me know as quickly as possible – an email will work just fine rogersitterly @  yahoo.com you can call me in Des Moines at 515 – 270 – 8095. Having some idea of how many people will be joining in a caravan will help us plan the route in terms of necessary stops along the way.

The deadline for early registration (with a discount) is July 19. The $25 early registration fee includes your bridge toll for the event, an antenna topper, lunch on August 3 in St. Ignace, admission to the music festival and some local swag. Cars will begin assembling in Mackinaw City Saturday morning, August 3 at 7:30 a.m., and departure for the parade across the bridge will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. After crossing of the bridge, lunch, entertainment, and contests will be held in St. Ignace, with a music festival scheduled from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. In addition, there will be a fireworks show at dusk.

Here’s a link to the information and registration page. http://www.miniofgrandrapids.com/News

I’ll be at the club picnic July 13, and will be available to discuss potential routing and caravan issues. And if you have any questions, please feel free to call me.

Sunday, June 16, 2013 (Father’s Day), Take Me Out to the Ball Game at Principal Park

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Take Me Out to the Ball Game… for Father’s Day at Principal Park… to see the Iowa Cubs take on the Omaha Storm Chasers at 1:05 pm.

While it’s super fun to get together for driving events, it’s also nice to take a little time to get to know the folks behind the wheels – and those folding the maps –  of the other MINI Coopers, too.

The ballpark has been generous enough to set aside a special “MINIs parking only” area that afternoon so that we can show off our Motoring Buddies.

By the way: the MINI-only parking area will be open to all MINI Coopers, not just CIMC members, so if you’ve been sitting on the fence about joining, here’s a great chance to get meet us (and get primo parking at the same time).

Because the CIMC rate includes discounted ticket, parking and food, it is essential that all Club members interested RSVPs by April 7. Rates are related to the number of people interested in attending so grab your keys, your loved ones, and your iCubs foam finger and join us at the ball park.

This is sure to be a great way to spend a special day – and someone else gets to do the clean up.

September 2012 – Swamp Fox Parade in Marion, Iowa

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At the start in Marion During the parade Maddie Spencer Parade is done (1) Parade is done (4)Parade is done (2) Parade is done (3)

CIMC members participated in 2012 annual Swamp Fox Parade, a celebration of the past and the present, which honors Marion’s namesake and Revolutionary War hero, Francis Marion, aka the Swamp Fox. The perfect weather made for a fun time showing off our favorite little machines and helping the city of Marion celebrate their own special place in Iowa.

September 27, 2011 – MINI of Des Moines New Car Show

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In lieu of a monthly event, CIMC members attended the annual New Car Show on Tuesday, September 27, 2011, at Willis Auto Campus, which featured the new 2012 MINI Coupe.

Willis Auto Campus, parent organization of MINI of Des Moines, had special parking for MINI owners and refreshments for attendees. In addition, Jason Willis provided some “special perks” at the MINI building.

Willis’ MINI of Des Moines has been extremely supportive of the CIMC’s efforts to provide MINI-related motoring fun and enjoyment for owners, and members were happy to show our appreciation of that support on this special night.

August 27, 2011 – Caravan to Brit Fest Music Festival in Ames, Iowa

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Roger put together a caravan for all interested CIMC members to the all-day music Brit Fest featuring a variety of music (folk, Irish, bluegrass), the Beatles Tribute Band – Abbey Road, Bells of the North, food, various activities for all ages, and, of course, cars. Members of the caravan had set-aside MINI club parking, 1/2 price admission, and an all around good time. The caravan left Des Moines at 10:30 am and arrived just in time for the festival to begin at 11 am in Brookside Park.