Engines, eats, and community meet as Team Chevrolet Valparaiso hosts car show and cookout event

Team Chevrolet of Valparaiso welcomed car enthusiasts and community members on Saturday, May 2, for a car show and cookout that brought together residents from across Northwest Indiana.

The event started at 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the dealership. The cookout started around 11:45 a.m. Attendees were able to spend the day exploring a variety of vehicles while enjoying a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.

As a family-owned business, Team Chevrolet of Valparaiso has long emphasized a philosophy of putting the people first, focusing on customer relationships, employee development, and local involvement. The car show served as a reflection of those values, offering guests an opportunity to connect over the shared interest of classic and new cars.

General Manager Dave Brubaker believes the event is an extension of the dealership’s broader mission to give back and create meaningful experiences for customers and residents.

“For us, it’s about bringing people together and bringing people from the community out. It’s a great opportunity to see these classic cars and meet some new people, as well as inviting new people to visit our dealership,” Brubaker said.

In addition to showcasing classic cars, modern vehicles, and custom builds, the event encouraged guests to socialize with one another and learn about the story behind each one.

The car show is about both the vehicles and the ability to strengthen the community. Team Chevrolet  Valparaiso has been no stranger to hosting events that can strengthen its ties with local residents and create a space for both longtime customers and first-time visitors.

“We had a great turnout this year for it being a little bit colder. We’ve got a wide range of cars, from classics to newer cars. We’ve got something for everyone,” said Brubaker. “And it’s not all Chevrolets. We’ve got some old Fords here, Mercury; we’ve got all types of makes and models here.”

Many staff members were interacting with guests and getting a better understanding of each customer’s history in the car community. Fostering a sense of belonging. no matter if someone has been driving for five or 50 years, is just as important as showcasing the vehicles, and the impressive turnout reflected that approach.

“We do this show with the Winamac Old Auto Club. It’s a group of people that we do this with every year, and we sponsor it for them. They’re a great group of people who always make it really fun, and the event continues to grow every year,” said Brubaker.

Beyond the event itself, Team Chevrolet of Valparaiso views gatherings like this as part of a larger effort to invest in the region and support community well-being.

“We do two of these shows a year. We do one on the first weekend of May, and we do the other on the first weekend in October. Throughout the rest of the year, we try to be involved in the community,” said Brubaker. “This year, we will be participating in the Popcorn Parade, and we also sponsor the Valparaiso High School athletics department. We try to have cars out at the football games on Friday nights and be involved with that.”

The car show underscored the dealership’s commitment to blending business with community impact, creating a space where cars, conversation, and connection came together. Team Chevrolet Valparaiso is looking forward to more opportunities to celebrate with their customers and the entire community in the upcoming months.

“We also have the summer concert series that we’re helping sponsor this year with the Parks Department. We think that the Parks Department does a great job with Central Park downtown, and  we want to be involved in some of the big events going on throughout the next couple of months,” said Brubaker.For more information on Team Chevrolet Valparaiso, you can visit chevyon30.com.