CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A downsized, revamped post-pandemic Chicago Auto Show opened to the public Thursday, and car buffs were happy to see it return.
At McCormick Place on Thursday afternoon, there was a mixture of excitement to get back to doing things like this - being around large crowds again without masks - and excitement about checking out the cars.
WBBM Newsradio's Mike Krauser spoke to Harvey Yark, from Libertyville.
"When I need to buy a new car, that's what I come down here for and they've got a new one on the market," he said.
WBBM: So what are you looking for?
"Jeep Grand Wagoneer," Yark said.
WBBM: Are they in short supply like everything else?
"I think so," he said.
WBBM: You may be able to look, but you may not be able to get one.
"That's it, that's it," Yark said.
WBBM: So is it more of a novelty, too, to just be able to do something like this again?
"Oh yeah, it's great. Plus, I got my grandson here today," Yark said.
"Yeah, I am very excited to see all the new cars and stuff," Yark's grandson said.
WBBM: Are you excited about just being in a place with a lot of people for the first time?
"Yes, definitely. That's much what I wanted to see," the boy said.
Lamar and Suzette, from Chicago, were psyched to be at the show.
"We used to go like every year, every single year, and in 2019, we were supposed to go and then something came up, and we were like, we will just go next year," Suzette said.
They both said it was a little strange being around a lot of people.
"I feel like it's more, I guess, I feel like it's more...I can't think of the words now, it's more normal..." Lamar said.
"Definitely getting back to normal, since they opened the city back up, it seems more smoothly and normal and everything," Suzette said.
"I do feel comfortable. We are all fully vaxxed so I feel more comfortable," Lamar added.
The first summer auto show since it started in 1901 is different, smaller, and both indoors and out, with test drives and a street festival.
The Chicago Auto Show was the last major event before the shutdown last year, and one of the first shows to return.
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