Families Flock To 47th Mid-America Ford And Shelby Nationals On Father’s Day

One of the largest collection of Ford and Shelby cars were on full display on this Father’s Day at the Southern Hills Marriott. 

With every car, there is a story behind it.

Event founder Jim Wicks said some of the cars are family cars that have been passed down.

Seeing people bring their families to the car show was Wicks’ vision when he started the event decades ago.

"What a great thing on Father's Day," Wicks said. "You got a lot of fathers and sons and some multi-generational families out here enjoying the show today and have been in town all weekend." 

One family has been coming to the car show for three generations. 

Ken, Shane and Glen Fowler drove all the way from Lafayette, Louisiana in their red 1966 Shelby.

Shane Fowler has been coming since his dad, Ken, took him 15 years ago.

Ever since he went to his first show, Shane knew where he would be spending Father's Day going forward.

“It's very special for us to be able to do this every year on Father's Day,” Shane Fowler said. “My wife will say, ‘What are y'all doing for Father's Day?'. I'm like, ‘The three of us are going to Tulsa.'”

Fowler also hopes to carry on the tradition to his 12-year-old son, Glen, who said the event is one of his favorite trips.

"It's great," Glen Fowler said. "I love coming here. You get to look at all the cool cars, talk to all the people about cars."

Ken Fowler said he has seen it go from a small event to a full-on car show.

When he looks back, Ken said he’s glad he made the shot a tradition for his family.

"It's really great to be able to come and spend time with my grandson, see all the cars, talk to people," Ken Fowler said.