– Our 25th Year! –
Q: What is the Davis Weekend?
A: The “Weekend”, refers to both the Saturday and Sunday activities. While the car show has been held on Sunday since our beginning in 1999, Saturday events were added more recently several years ago.
Q: What’s happening on the Saturday before the Show?
A: There is an early morning get-together at Niello Volvo Cars Sacramento for a light breakfast; a mid-morning to mid-afternoon foothill drive (two separate groups, “leisurely” and “spirited”, your choice); followed by an informal dinner hosted by Past Sacramento Chapter President Walter Donnell at his home in the late afternoon. Note that these activities are “a la carte”, you can pick and choose whatever activities you’d like to attend when registering.
Q: What is the cost of the Saturday activities?
A: Thanks to the generosity of Niello Volvo Cars Sacramento, the early morning get-together there is free. The foothill drives are also free, though participants are responsible for their own lunch, snacks, etc. For the dinner, Past Sacramento Chapter President Walter Donnell will poll the group and takeout food will be ordered, with everyone responsible for paying for their own food. While the Saturday events are free, advance registration is still required, since we need to know how many people to expect.
Q: What is the Davis Show?
A: It is a Volvo show held at Central Park in Davis, California on a Sunday. It is a one-day show planned and staffed by volunteers, primarily from the Volvo Club of America’s Sacramento & Golden Gate Chapters.
Q: What types of Volvo are welcome at the Show?
A: Any and every type of Volvo-bodied car, as well as Volvo-powered cars. Our variety is part of our appeal. Daily drivers, modified, race cars, beaters, concours-worthy Volvos, you’ll find them all here at the Show.
Q: What kinds of Volvos show up?
A: All kinds (see previous answer, above)! In addition to the more common models such as 240s, 850s, S60s, past showgoers have seen the unusual; 444, P1900, 480, and an 850 pickup (not a production vehicle.) Part of the fun and attraction of the Show is that one never knows what unusual Volvo they might see there.
Q: What is the Show format?
A: It’s basically a car show with awards and a swap meet. During a roughly three-hour time window on Sunday morning, participants arrive and are parked in groups sorted by models. Once parked, participants are free to stay with their car and answer questions about their car, look at other cars, peruse the swap meet or vendor displays, or explore the attractions in downtown Davis. In early afternoon, we conclude the Show with an awards presentation. Afterwards, some folks choose to linger and socialize, while others prefer to get an early start on the drive home.
Q: Do I have to pay admission just to see the cars?
A: No. We’re located at a Davis city park and street closure with pedestrian and bicycle access. There is limited on-street parking (please observe the posted parking restrictions) outside the Show area, so arrive early.
Q: Can I park in a specific location?
A: Unfortunately, no. We cannot guarantee show participants a specific location or area where they will be parked, as space assignments are made a few days before the show based on the number of a particular model that have pre-registered and/or are expect to come to the show. Once a model is assigned to a specific area, those model cars are parked on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q: Can I park with my friends?
A: Unless your friends have the same model as you and enter the gate at the same time, no. We park by models and on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q: Can I display a For Sale sign on my car?
A: Yes!
Q: Is My Volvo “Stock” or “Modified”?:
A: We have awards for both categories, just tell us which category your Volvo is in.
“Stock” means, with regard to modifications, your Volvo pretty much looks like it did when it was new on the showroom floor. If you have fewer than five of these types of minor modifications, you are probably in the Stock Class:
– Non-Original Radio
– Non-Original Valve Cover
– Upgraded Anti-Sway Bars
– Non-Original Volvo Battery
– Non-Original Air Conditioning System
“Modified” means your Volvo has five or more minor modifications, or more than two of these modifications:
– Oversized Wheels/Tires
– Modified Paint (non-factory color or type)
– Flared Fenders or Other Custom Bodywork
– Special Bumpers/Air Dams, Other Aerodynamic Features
– Modified Suspension (lowering springs, air bags, a-arms, etc.)
– Custom Interior (aftermarket seats, belt restraint systems, roll bar/cage, reworked dash/interior panels, etc.)
– Modified Engine (internal and/or external mods beyond original configurations, engine size different from Stock)
Q: Why is the Show in Davis?
A: Because someone volunteered to host the initial Show in Davis in 1999. Davis’ Central Park has since proven to be an ideal location for our Show. The Park is located in the city’s downtown area, which has an abundance of restaurants, shops, and other attractions. The Park has two children’s play areas, large grassy areas, and a pavilion, which comes in handy if we should experience some rain during the show.
Q: Do you cancel the Show if it’s raining?
A: No. These are Volvos and they’re designed for the really wet weather in Sweden. In case of rain, showgoers usually take cover under the very large pavilion until the rain stops, then go back out and look at the cars. Cancellation might occur if there was severe flooding or some other major weather event. Or a pandemic. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.
Q: If I bring my Volvo and want to park in the Show area, why do I need to pay?
A: Your registration fee goes to pay for the fees that the City of Davis charges us to use the Show area, offset the cost of running the Show, and help support the local VCOA chapters. Our fee is on the low side, and it’s good Volvo Community Karma to pay it. Who knows, your car may even win an award.
Q: I have a show car that I want to trailer to the Show and unload it inside. Is this possible?
A: Unfortunately, no. The heavy traffic flow into the Show field and disruption of that traffic by the unloading of cars don’t mix so it isn’t allowed. Plus, except for the swap meet area, tow vehicles and trailers are not allowed in the show area- we need the space for Volvos!
We do not recommend purchasing swap spaces for tow vehicles and trailers, as this deprives legitimate sellers of that space. There are legal street parking spaces in the downtown areas, but they do fill up early, so your best chance of finding on-street parking is by arriving early. Street parking has some restrictions, so please observe the parking signs when selecting a space.
Q: What’s the deal with the Swap Meet?
A: We have a limited number of swap spaces that are sold in advance of the Show. There are no spaces for sale on the day of the Show. To see if spaces are still available and for other details, please e-mail our Swap Meet Coordinator, Larry Biltz, at: larrybiltz925@gmail.com
Q: Why is this the 25th Davis Show, but it started in 1999? You’re off by a few years.
A: We skipped 2016, 2020, & 2021, there were no Shows in those years. Now the math makes sense.
Q: Is there an official or host hotel?
A: No, we’re not that organized, but there are many hotels in the area, and a lot of showgoers do stay at the Best Western in downtown Davis. The downtown motels are smaller and book up fairly fast, so we encourage you to make your reservations early.
Q: Do you sell food or drink at the Show?
A: No. There are many, many food and beverage options in the surrounding area. From morning coffee to lunch to take-out food and desserts, you have plenty of choices within easy walking distance. You can also bring a picnic lunch or brown-bag it.
Q: Your Saturday activities are free, but you require advance registration, why?
A: To minimize waste, make sure there’s enough for everyone (especially food), and better plan our activities, we require advance registration.
Q: I missed the registration deadline, but want to attend, what do I do?
A: For the Saturday activities, contact us by early Friday (day before) at: socialmedia@sacvolvoclub.org with your contact info, activity that you are interested in attending, and the number of people including yourself, that want to attend. We sometimes have last-minute cancellations and you may be able to attend. We will notify you with a confirmation if we can fit you in.
For the Sunday Show, no worries, we accept drive-up admissions until the Show field is full. Please remember that we can only accept cash payment at the Show, so don’t forget to first stop by an ATM if needed.
Q: Why don’t you do _____________?
A: The Davis Weekend is organized and staffed by volunteers. If there’s something you’d like to see, please contact us in advance and volunteer to do it.
Q: What kind of volunteer help do you need?
A: All of the Weekend events are staffed by volunteers, and we can use help on both Saturday and Sunday, as well as before and after the Weekend. Assistance is needed both on-site and remotely (acting as a RSVP point of contact for a Saturday activity, for example.)
We’re in particular need of assistance early on Sunday morning, as that’s when the Show is at its busiest. Our areas of greatest need are for parking assistants and help with registration.
Q: If I have questions about volunteering, or want to volunteer, whom do I contact?
A: Contact us at: socialmedia@sacvolvoclub.org
Q: I couldn’t find an answer to my question in the FAQs, who can I ask?
A: Please e-mail us with your question at: socialmedia@sacvolvoclub.org