Happy Days turns 25

Doug and Roberta See of Grinnell pose next to the red 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible that sports a "HAPPYDZ" license plate. The Sees and some friends formed the Central Iowa Cruiser car club in 1983, holding their first car show in 1984. The event was later renamed the Happy Days Festival. The Sees have been in charge of the car show since, and after 25 years have decided to step down and let some younger people take over.

Next time you see Doug and Roberta See sporting around Poweshiek County in their cherry red 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible, wave and say thanks.

Much of the success of the annual Happy Days Festival in Grinnell can be contributed to the Sees, who have directed the car show since its inception in 1984.

“It has been fun,” said Roberta, a realtor with Iowa Realty in Grinnell. “We have enjoyed it.”

After 25 years, the Sees have decided to step down as directors of the car show in hopes that some younger people will take over.

“They make the car show a success and we will be hard pressed to find somebody in the future who will do as good of a job as they have done,” said Grinnell Mayor Gordon Canfield. “One of the reasons that they do such a good job is they have a passion for restoring cars. They seem to know a lot of car hobbyist.”

The 2009 Happy Days car show and cruise night, Aug. 28-29, drew 150 cars. It was one of the larger shows in the 25-year history of the event.

“We have had 200 cars and turned people away,” recalled Roberta of the 20th anniversary show in 2004.

In 1983, the Sees, who own three 1957 Chevrolets – a convertible, two-door hardtop and station wagon - and several friends formed the Central Iowa Classic Cruiser car club.

“We started (the car club) with a $2.60 ad in the Pennysaver,” recalled Doug, owner of Doug’s Body Shop in Grinnell.

“That is how our car club formed,” added Roberta. “It was just come go cruise with us.”

The cruiser club held a car show at Firestone in Grinnell, then in 1984 decided to move it downtown. The car show grew in popularity and later was renamed the Happy Days Festival with several events added.

Credit for the festival goes to Tammy Kriegel, the See’s daughter, and Chris Nolte with the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce. The festival includes the car show, music, kid’s games, vendors, food items, and numerous other related events.

“Happy Days is a city festival to give back to the citizens of Grinnell,” said Tom Cirks, chairman of the Happy Days Committee. “It is a great event.” Cirks added that the Sees are phenomenal people who are loyal and dedicated to the Grinnell community and the Happy Day Festival.

“You can’t find a better couple and classic car enthusiasts who give so much to the community,” he said.

Roberta said the popularity of the show has grown so much that she gets calls from all over the country. This year’s car show drew a participant from Springfield, Mo.

“It’s about the friends and people that come,” added Doug. The results and photos from the event will be posted on www.ourgrinnell.com.

UPDATED September 1, 2009 1:54 PM