WANT TO GO?
WHAT: The 2016 Dayton Auto Show
WHEN: Feb. 25-28
SHOW TIMES: Feb. 25, Noon-9 p.m.
Feb. 26, Noon-9 p.m.
Feb. 27, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Feb. 28, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
WHERE: Dayton Convention Center, 100 Fifth St.
COST: $8 for adults at the door, $6 online here. Children ages 12 and younger are free when accompanied by a paying adult.
DISCOUNTS: Feb. 26 - Senior Day, age 55-plus, $6 at door. Student discount with student ID, $6 at door
MORE INFO: DaytonAutoShow.com | Facebook | Twitter| Instagram
The Dayton Auto Show roars into town this week, opening at noon Thursday and running through 6 p.m. Sunday. Between 175 and 200 cars, pickup trucks, crossovers, sport-utility vehicles, minivans, hybrids and Harley-Davidson motorcycles are expected to be displayed.
Even (or especially) if you're not a big car fan, here are a few reasons why you'd still enjoy this local automotive festival:
1. Unlike the bigger auto shows, people are welcome to open doors and slip behind the wheel of almost everything on the floor.
2. No one is going to bother you about buying something. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles does not permit direct selling at the show, but it's a great way to pick up a brochure, talk to others and speak with a product advisor.
3. In a first for the show, Toyota is introducing a ride and drive experience. Four models, including the all-new Prius, the redesigned Tacoma, the Camry and the new RAV4 Hybrid, will be available for test-driving around downtown Dayton. Drivers must be 18 years or older and present a valid driver's license.
4. You could win a car – or at least a two-year lease for one! Miami Valley Chevrolet Dealers are offering the grand prize of a two-year lease on a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu LS. It even has Wi-Fi. Entries are being accepted at all Miami Valley Chevrolet dealerships through Feb. 24 and also at the show. Four finalists will come from dealership drawings, plus a finalist each day at the show. A reverse drawing will be held Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. at the Chevy display. The final person left will win the lease.
5. Students get a discount with student ID, for a price of $6 at the door.
6. There will be entertainment: Two former Cincinnati Bengals players Dave Lapham and Eric Thomas are slated to appear Feb. 27 from 1 to 3 p.m.; and the Cincinnati Ben-Gal Cheerleaders Feb. 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. Matt the Balloon Guy will entertain kids from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 28.
Bonus: You could win clothes! Chrysler/Dodge/Fiat/Jeep/Ram dealers are expected to sponsor a "T-shirt takeover" or similar promotion at their displays. In the past, they've randomly awarded a prize to show-goers who participated in their promotion.
Keep tabs this year thanks to the Dayton Daily News' Dayton Auto Center Visitor' s Guide.
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