Cleveland Auto Show 2019: Everything you need to know from driving the coolest cars to meeting celebrities
Get ready to rev up your engines!
The Cleveland Auto Show is back at the I-X Center with more than 850 vehicles on display.
From gazing at the gloriously expensive wheels along Millionaire's Row to absorbing the bumps in Jeep's rugged obstacle course, there's a lot to soak in.
We have broken everything down below from how you can win a free car to when you can meet local celebrities like... Feel free to scroll through the chapters to find what interests you most about the Cleveland Auto Show.
Be sure to keep checking back because this guide will be updated with photos, videos and more updates as the Auto Show progresses.
If you're reading this on the WKYC app, CLICK HERE to get for the best viewing experience.
UNDER THE HOOD The main nuts and bolts
Location: 1 I-X Center Drive in Cleveland
DATES: Friday, Feb. 22 through Sunday, March 3.
HOURS: Opening night: 5-10 p.m.
Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
TICKETS: Prices have increased by $1 across the board for 2019: Tickets are now $14 for adults, $12 for preteens (ages 7-12) and $12 for seniors (ages 62+). Children ages 6 and younger get in free. BUY TICKETS HERE.
PARKING: It's always free at the Cleveland Auto Show.
PHONE: 216-265-7100 or 440-746-1500.
E-MAIL: info@clevelandautoshow.com.
See the floor plan:
HERO'S DAY: Free admission with valid ID and proof of service or employment on Thursday, Feb. 28 for the following: Current / former U.S. military personnel, firefighters, EMTs, police officers, state troopers, investigators, evidence technicians, firearms examiners, crime lab technicians, 911 dispatchers, correction officers, FBI, Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, National Security Administrations, U.S. Customs or U.S. Border Patrol.
FAMILY FUN DAY: Free admission for everybody ages 15 and younger: Monday, Feb. 25.
BEHIND THE WHEEL Ride-N-Drive the coolest cars
Thinking about buying a new car, but want to give it a test ride first? You can get behind the wheel at multiple Ride-N-Drive options from 12 different brands this year:
- Chevrolet
- Chrysler
- Dodge
- Fiat
- Jeep
- Kia
- Mazda
- Nissan
- Ram
- Subaru
- Toyota
- Volkswagen
These are the rules associated with Ride-N-Drive opportunities:
- Each individual company determines the age and insurance requirements of the driver.
- Some Ride-N-Drives require a Breathalyzer test.
- All adults must provide follow-up information about themselves.
- All drivers and passengers must complete a waiver of liability.
- All drivers must produce a valid driver's license.
See photos from the main show floor:
PHOTOS | 2019 Cleveland Auto Show: Main floor displays
ROUGH TERRAIN Cruise obstacles with the pros
A fan-favorite element of the Cleveland Auto Show is Camp Jeep. Here you can ride along as professional drivers show off the trail-rated capabilities of Jeep vehicles over an obstacle course that includes ground maneuverability, a stair climber, moguls, break overs, a pass through, and climb the 35-degree Camp Jeep Mountain.
There's also the Ram Truck Indoor Test Track that will "show you how much the brand's trucks are capable of doing."
Our team was given a ride along the Camp Jeep obstacle course during our Facebook live tour of the Auto Show, which you can watch HERE (Camp Jeep ride happens at the 20-minute mark):
THE CLASSICS Oldies but goodies
In its 20th year, the Classic Car Competition is back for another spin and reprising its role as one of the most popular attractions of the Cleveland Auto Show.
It's like taking a step back in time as local car lovers show off their vehicles that are at least 25 years old.
While participating vehicles in the Classic Car Competition will be on display every day the Cleveland Auto Show is open, prizes will be awarded on Saturday, March 2 at 2 p.m.
The owner of the vehicle named as Best of Show will take home a cash prize of $500.
See photos of vehicles featured in the 2019 Classic Car Competition:
PHOTOS | Classic cars at the 2019 Cleveland Auto Show
COSTLY CHROME Drooling over expensive vehicles at Millionaire's Row
You can also feast your eyes on Millionaire's Row, which features a series of vehicles that most of us can only dream of owning because many of them cost more than a house.
Returning for 2019 is the ultra rare Aston Martin Vulcan, which is worth more than $3.4 million -- the most expensive vehicle ever on display at the Auto Show. It's also one of only two in North America.
This year's Millionaire's Row lineup includes:
- Mercedes AMG GT R
- Porsche 911 GT3 RS
- Aston Martin DB11
- Aston Martin Vanquish
- Bentley Bentayga
- Rolls-Royce Ghost
- Rolls-Royce Dawn
- Maserati Levante GTS
- Maserati GTC
- Lotus Evora
RACING WITH THE STARS Celebrity meet-and-greet schedules
Here's your chance to meet some famous faces...
TUESDAY, FEB. 26:
Collin Sexton: The Cleveland Cavaliers point guard will be signing autographs from 6-8 p.m.
---
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 27:
Stipe Miocic: The hometown hero and UFC Heavyweight Champion will be signing autographs from 6-8 p.m.
Austin Dillon: The 2018 Daytona 500 winner will be signing autographs from 6-8 p.m.
Matt Kaulig: The owner of Kaulig Racing and LeafFilter Gutter Protection will be signing autographs from 6-8 p.m.
---
THURSDAY, FEB. 28:
Joe Schobert and Joel Bitonio: These Cleveland Browns players will be signing autographs in the Honda display from 7-8 p.m.
---
FRIDAY, MARCH 1:
Matthew Dellavedova: This beloved Cavs player will be signing autographs in the Kia display from 6-7 p.m.
NOTE: Autographs are not guaranteed. Only one autograph per person. You can bring your own item to be signed. Appearance schedule is subject to change.
STRAIGHT OUTTA HOLLYWOOD Famous vehicles
How cool is this?
You can get an up-close glimpse at some of the coolest screen-used movie cars throughout the Auto Show.
See close-up photos of the "famous cars" on display at the Auto Show:
PHOTOS | Famous movie vehicles on display at 2019 Cleveland Auto Show include 'Back to the Future' and 'Furious 7'
The vehicles on display are:
- Delorean "Time Machine" from Back to the Future
- The Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo
- Mutt Cutts "Shaggin Wagon" from Dumb and Dumber
- 1970 off-road Charger from Furious 7
- Optimus Prime from Transformers: The Last Knight
- LEGO Chevy Silverado, inspired by The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part
Want an even closer look at that famous Back to the Future DeLoreon? We got to peek in the driver seat, which you can see HERE:
WIN WHEELS How you can win a free car
Need a new car? You can win a three-year lease on either a 2019 Honda Accord Sport or a 2019 Honda Ridgeline RT at this year's Auto Show.
You can register to win at the Official Vehicle Giveaway booth during any day of the Cleveland Auto Show.
Each day of the show, one finalist will be chosen and invited back on Sunday, March 3. Out of the 10 finalists invited back, two grand prize winners will be selected.
Mail-in entries are also accepted at: Official Vehicle Giveaway Contest, c/o GCADA, 9150 South Hills Boulevard, Suite 150, Broadview Heights, OH 44147.