Each of the last ten years, I've hosted a 4th of July tour and potluck picnic. My wife and I plan the route and provide brats, fresh off the manifold cookers. Everyone else brings a dish to share. We always find a nice park for the potluck lunch and fellowship.
This all stated back when I was president of the T Totalers, our local MTFCI chapter. As president, I was expected to host a tour, but my job as a heavy equipment transporter required me to be available to work on short notice most weekends. Since it's illegal to haul oversized loads in Minnesota on the three major summer holidays (Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day), I knew I wouldn't have to work on the 4th of July; the 4th of July tour and potluck picnic was born! Today, the tour hosted by the Great Northern Model T Club (MTFCA), but we welcome participation of Model Ts from all Minnesota antique car clubs.
This year, we had seventeen Model Ts travel the 96 mile route from St. Cloud, MN, to Monticello, MN and back. We had a wonderful potluck feast on the shore of the Mississippi River and ice Cream cones at Nelson Bros. in Clearwater, MN. As usual, all cars that started the trip completed it. But, we did have one car sidelined for about 15 minutes for a little roadside repair. If any of you are ever in Central Minnesota on the 4th of July, look us up.
Here's a few of the cars rounding the corner as we arrived at a historic mill site.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXotTkS8aAg