Epic Vintage Torque Fest Hits Dubuque: Hot Rods, Pin-Ups, & Music Festival, This Weekend

There are certain events that you check out once and move on from; and then there are the ones that pull you back year after year. For me, Vintage Torque Fest falls firmly into that second category. This will be my third year heading out to the Dubuque County Fairgrounds, and somehow, every time, it manages to outdo itself.

If you’ve never been, the easiest way to describe Vintage Torque Fest is the way organizer John Wells put it when I spoke with him: it’s a “vintage lifestyle event.” That might sound simple, but once you’re there, you realize just how much that actually covers. It’s a car show, a music festival, a swap meet, a racing event, and a full-on community gathering all rolled into one.

Check out our full interview with John Wells, below, to get the full story about Vintage Torque Fest!

From the moment you enter the fairgrounds, you’re surrounded by rows of hot rods, rat rods, and vintage builds that feel like they’ve been pulled straight out of another era. It’s not just a static display either, some of these vehicles are part of the action. Throughout the weekend, you’ll see everything from dirt drags and vintage stock car racing to mini-bike competitions and full-throttle demolition derby chaos. And yes, Friday night even features flame-throwing cars lighting up the sky, which is exactly as wild as it sounds.

What makes the event stand out even more is how much is happening at once. While one part of the grounds is hosting mini-bike races or a hooligan bike exhibition, another is gearing up for drag runs or motorcycle showcases. There’s a constant energy to the place; no matter where you go, something is happening.

Music is another major piece of the experience. With three stages running throughout Saturday, live performances are always within earshot. The lineup leans heavily into roots, blues, rock, and Americana, staying true to the vintage feel of the event. Artists like Anthony Gomes bring a high-energy blues-rock sound, while bands like 20 Watt Tombstone and Carbellion take things in a heavier direction later in the evening. It’s a lineup built around real musicianship, and it shows.

Another highlight each year is the pin-up contest, which leans fully into classic style. Think vintage fashion inspired by icons like Marilyn Monroe. These are carefully curated looks that reflect the same era as the cars surrounding them.

It’s not over-the-top or out of place; it fits naturally into the overall atmosphere of the festival. Check out the full Vintage Torque Fest schedule post below!

But as big as the cars, music, and events are, what really defines Vintage Torque Fest is its purpose. The entire weekend supports the Helping Hannah’s Heart Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families dealing with congenital heart defects. What started as a way for Wells and his family to overcome their own medical challenges has grown into something much larger, raising over $230,000 to help others facing similar situations.

That impact becomes very real on Saturday afternoon, when families supported by the foundation are brought on stage. It’s a moment that shifts your perspective. As Wells said during our conversation, “If you can’t help a kid… come on, man. Skip one beer and throw a $5 bill their way." It’s a simple statement, but standing there and seeing those families, it carries immense weight.

In the end, Vintage Torque Fest is more than just a packed weekend of entertainment. It’s a place where different communities come together, where people connect over shared passions, and where every ticket contributes to something meaningful. Keep scrolling for a full gallery of the Vintage Torque Fest experience from 2023, and get ready for a new chapter this weekend, May 1st and 2nd at the Dubuque County fairgrounds.