Car show honors memory of area man, supports young adults with disabilities

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Several hundred people gathered at North Iowa Area Community College on Sunday to celebrate the legacy of a young man who loved “Toy Story” and Mustangs – and to support others like him.

Andrew’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” Car Show drew a large crowd to the NIACC campus near Mason City, with vehicles of all kinds lining the large main parking lot.

From vintage cars and custom high-performance machines to modern luxury vehicles, motorcycles, trucks and modified utility vehicles, the event featured something for every motor vehicle enthusiast, along with food trucks and door prizes.

Created by Eric Kacer of Mason City in memory of his son, Andrew Kacer, who had Down syndrome and a serious congenital heart condition, the car show served as both a tribute and a fundraiser. Andrew died in 2021 at age 24. Sunday would have been his 28th birthday.

The event raised awareness and funds for the NIACC EDUCATE program, designed to help students with intellectual disabilities develop academic, career and personal independence.

Andrew’s mother is from Charles City, as is the director of the EDUCATE program.

Kacer organized the show with help from community members across northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. He said he hopes the event becomes an annual tradition.

Kacer said the show was meant to honor Andrew and bring attention to people with special needs.

The show included food trucks, information booths, a silent auction, door prizes and music.

About a dozen veterans were also honored during the event and thanked publicly for their service.