EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – Classic cars aren’t the only thing drawing a crowd this weekend — local restaurants are feeling it too.
The 51st annual Frog Follies car show is underway at the Vanderburgh County Fairgrounds, bringing thousands of vintage car enthusiasts — and their appetites — to the area.
“Every year we see quite a few cars and a lot of people up here,” said Ed Atkins, bar manager at the Hornet’s Nest.
The Hornet’s Nest Restaurant and Bar sits on the corner of Petersburg and E Boonville-New Harmony roads in Earle, about three miles from the fairgrounds, where the pre-1950s car show is held. Atkins also owns Pizza Depot next door. The two restaurants share a parking lot — and much of their clientele.
Atkins says the show is good for business.
“Much of the restaurant is booked this evening. We have a couple parties of 20 and 25. I think quite a few of them are probably coming over here from the fairgrounds. So it’s going to have an impact,” Atkins said.
But he says that impact isn’t quite what it used to be.
“I have noticed this last few years that they’ve had on premise dinners and dances at the fairgrounds, so we don’t see quite as many people come over,” Atkins said.
Frog Follies closes its gates at 4 p.m. each day, and Atkins says that’s when things start to pick up at the Hornet’s Nest.
“We don’t get really a late night crowd from the Frog Follies. And I don’t blame them driving those cars. I would want that somewhere safe at night too,” Atkins said.
He says the car show draws people from well beyond the Tri-State.
“Right now there’s some people from La Porte, Indiana, from Missouri. But I know people drive from not just the Midwest, but from all over to show off the hot rods for sure,” Atkins said.
No matter where they’re from, Atkins says the Hornet’s Nest is ready to serve them.
“We probably make the best specialty burgers in Evansville. This is the best locally owned restaurant in the tri-state. I’ll stand by that. I might be biased, but it’s the truth,” Atkins said.
14 News also stopped by Frontier Restaurant and Bar, off Highway 57 in Daylight — a little farther from the main drag leading out of the fairgrounds. The owner says they haven’t seen a big uptick in business from Frog Follies, but they’ve got cold beer on tap and southern fried catfish for anyone who steps in the door.
Frog Follies runs through this weekend at the Vanderburgh County 4-H Fairgrounds.
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