Free admission, classic cars, pin-ups and live music return for Wilmo a Go-Go

When you think of Memorial Day weekend traditions, family get-togethers, barbecues and solemn remembrances for those who died fighting for our country flash into mind.

But in Wilmington, the fastest growing Memorial Day weekend tradition revolves around a retro mix of classic cars, live bands and pin-up girls.

Wilmo a Go-Go -- an independent, homegrown car show -- will move to its fourth new location in eight years this weekend, continuing a search of a parking lot big enough to contain the event which has gone from 75 people in 2011 to an overflow crowd of more than 1,500 last year.

What started as a promotional party for Poppycock Tattoo (8th and Orange streets, Wilmington) has grown into a full-on family-friendly outdoor bash packed with cars, bands and food trucks. And during it all, admission has stayed at the same price: free.

You'll find kids mingling with greasers and rockers giving pin-up girls something to swing to at the car show, which has helped fill a void in Wilmington after the larger Hot Rod Hoedown left its home near Kahunaville years ago.

"You'll see people covered in piercings and tattoos and then you'll see just regular grandparents there, too," says Mike Braddock, president of Wilmington's Broken Rods Car Club, which has been helping organize cars for the show since the very beginning. "When some people see tattoos and piercings, they automatically think that person is mean, but it's not like that. It's nice to have all different people out there together."

This year, he expects more than 300 people will shell out the $10 registration fee at the site to show off their wheels, which would make it the largest Wilmo a Go-Go yet.

Poppycock Tattoo owner Tina Marabito first launched the event with her then-husband in the parking lot next to their downtown tattoo shop.

The couple had moved from New Jersey to Wilmington in 2010 when they bought their building on the mostly deserted block of 8th and Orange streets for $120,000, drawn by downtown's revitalization.

"We saw that the city was up-and-coming and we wanted to grow with Wilmington," Marabito told The News Journal in 2011, days ahead of her first Wilmo a Go-Go. "It's all or nothing for us. We're going to make this work."

At first, Marabito's goal for the car show was a simple one: she wanted to throw a party.

The first two shows were held on the same corner as the tattoo shop -- a city block that is now booming with activity eight years later.

Just around the corner, Buccini/Pollin Group's $75 million, 200-unit luxury apartment complex featuring an outdoor pool called The Residences at Mid-town Park will open this summer at 820 N. Orange St. A parking garage next door boasting 511 new parking spots opened in March.

"I feel like I won the lottery. I'm ecstatic," says Marabito, whose big Wilmington gamble paid off with hundreds of new neighbors set to move in soon. "It feels good that other people are seeing what's here in our happy little city."

The festival migrated from downtown to the Riverfront's Dravo Plaza after its second year, outgrowing its original downtown home. Ever since it settled in at the Riverfront, Wilmo a Go-Go has expanded, jumping from Dravo Plaza to the overflow parking lot across from Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant last year.

In fact it's moving again this year, headed to 600 Delmarva Lane -- the back corner parking lot on the Riverfront past Frawley Stadium, which will be hosting Wilmington Blue Rocks vs. Salem Red Sox at 1:35 p.m. on Sunday. The move pushes the car show farther away from baseball traffic and parking, while also allowing more space for the classic cars.

The lot also allows room for the 20-plus arts vendors, beer sales and food trucks, which include Delaware Provision Company, Mojo Loco, Cajun-Sno, Outlandish, Kapow and Sweet Josephines this year. (Vendors include Talleyville Frame Shoppe & Gallery, Oddporium, Spaceboy Clothing and Pat Higgins Art.)

Wilmington's Chris "Soup" Campbell hasn't missed a single Wilmo a Go-Go and he'll be there again this weekend. Both he and his father will be showing off their retro rides.

He keeps coming back not only because the show sticks to classic cars from 1972 and earlier, but also for the rockabilly music, which pairs perfectly with the old-fashioned atmosphere.

"It's all about the nostalgia with the rockabilly and hot rod vibe going hand-in-hand," says Campbell, a veteran Wilmington musician currently playing with rockers Blood Law. "It's not as polished as some of the other shows. It's laid back and everyone isn't there for a trophy. There's more of a family feel."

Whatever the reason for its growth, just think of Wilmo a Go-Go as an eight-year overnight success.

In a city and state where some complain about a lack of activities, Marabito decided to make her own fun. And through years of word-of-mouth, the little indie car show that could has grown into a legitimate Memorial Day weekend custom in the state's biggest city.

With support from Broken Rods and unofficial co-organizers Wendy Mitchell and Ric Frane of the Talleyville Frame Shoppe, Marabito can only marvel at what her little "party" has become over the years.

"It's so great to have so many people come out and support something that's positive and fun. I started it when I was in my late 20s and now I'm 36 -- I feel old," she says, taking stock of her success with a laugh.

Contact Ryan Cormier of The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier), Twitter (@ryancormier) and Instagram (@ryancormier).

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Eighth annual Wilmo a Go-Go

WHEN: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: 600 Delmarva Lane, Wilmington

ADMISSION: Free

INFORMATION: facebook.com/wilmoagogo

MUSIC: The Twangbillies (11 a.m.), The Open Road (noon) and The Primitive Finks (1 p.m.).

CONTESTS: Pin-up contest and mustache contest (2:30 p.m.) and trophy winners and raffle drawing (3 p.m.)

MORE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND FUN IN DELAWARE

Friday, 10 p.m. — The Bullets at Home Grown Cafe in Newark. What's that sound? It's the sound of thousands of University of Delaware students exhaling since Thursday is the last day of finals. The day between the end of finals and commencement, which will be Saturday, is a perfect storm for a party. There's sure to be a rollicking celebration at Home Grown (126 E Main St.) when veteran Delaware rockabilly trio The Bullets strut their stuff. With a celebratory buzz in the air and a frontman willing to hop on a table and play his guitar with a bottle of hot sauce, you just might find both grads and their parents on Main Street into the wee hours.

Saturday, 10 a.m. — Opening weekend of Killens Pond Water Park in Felton. Even though playing around at a water park (5025 Killens Pond Road) might seem ridiculous given the amount of rain we've endured recently, this is fun water! The official opening of the Kent County water park offers water slides, water jets and, of course, the Floating Lily Pad Fun Walk for the little ones. A couple of speed slides that start 54 feet above the ground will give thrill-seekers a scare if they're up for it. And for the first time, Killens will offer advance sales online via destateparks.com. Tickets are $8-$10 and do not include state park admission, which is $4 for in-state vehicles and $8 for out-of-state.

Saturday, 10 a.m. — Opening weekend of Jungle Jim's near Rehoboth Beach. If you find yourself at the beach with kids complaining that the ocean water is still too cold, the timing couldn't be better for the opening of Jungle Jim's water park. In addition to the twists and turns of their water slides, you can also find bumper boats, batting cages, mini golf and more at the family fun center. Hours this weekend are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday through Monday. Passes for the water park ($23-$38), mini golf games ($8) and bumper boats ($6) are purchased in person.

Sunday, 8 p.m. -- Fitz & the Tantrums at The Queen in Wilmington. They twice (2012, 2016) transformed Firefly Music Festival into a high-octane party with their energetic sets and this time around, Fitz & the Tantrums are doing it inside on a holiday weekend. The six-piece led by French-born performer Michael Fitzpatrick is in town for the Hoagie Nation festival in Philadelphia the night before, playing alongside Hall & Oates, Train and Delaware's own Tommy Conwell & The Young Rumblers. The tour route gives a reason to come home from the beach early: a fun pop show followed by a Monday without work. Tickets are $29.50.

LONG WEEKEND IN DELAWARE 

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Warm weather, cold beer, good food within reach on Wilmington's Riverfront