2022 Chicago Auto Show's final day draws families to McCormick Place on President's Day

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Monday is your final chance to check out this year's Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place.

The hours for President's Day are a little shorter than the rest of the days for the show, going from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

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With a day off school for the kids and their parents - who are both teachers - it was a perfect day to have some family fun at the Auto Show.

"This is a nice day to stay away from school and come out and see some cars," teacher John Schmitt said.

Organizers say the slightly scaled down version of this year's auto show has been a success. While they have had numerous challenges ranging from the pandemic to having to compete with the Super Bowl, which was played for the first time during the opening weekend of the show.

"It started out a little slow," said Bill Haggerty, chairman of the Chicago Auto Show. "We had to fight the Super Bowl, Valentine's Day and the snow Thursday, but the weekends have been phenomenal and today we got a good crowd."

Weekday attendance is typically less than weekends at the auto show, but having the President's Day holiday gives lots of families a good option on their day off from school and work. And for many, it's an opportunity to do a little shopping - or imagining - for their next vehicle.

"It's a wonderful day to see the technology that's out there and spend some time with him," father David Owiny said.

"Camp Jeep which is right behind me, features a taller and longer hill than ever before, it's actually celebrating its 18th year at the Auto Show, which is super great!" said Jennifer Morand, director of PR and social media for the Chicago Auto Show.

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There are a total of six test tracks at the show, including two at Ford - the popular Bronco Mountain, and a track to experience several of their electric vehicles.

For more interactive fun, Nissan has a this big spread of special Frontier Project Trucks, encouraging crowd participation to vote for your favorite!

"The one we have right here is the Project Hard Body, which is retro 80s looking with the graphics, this one is in the lead right now, but it's really close with Project Adventure, that's got the camper top, that's my favorite!" said Becky Shriver, Nissan product specialist.

Believe it or not, pick-up trucks are really popular in Chicago and the Ford Maverick is the first fully hybrid pick up on the road.

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"We actually call the Maverick the truck for customers who didn't even know they needed a truck!" said Grace Karnes, Ford business specialist. "It provides all the capabilities of a pick up while still being small enough to fit in even the tightest parking spots, making it perfect for Chicago."

And if you're bringing your family to look for a family vehicle, be sure to check out the Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid.

"Chrysler is the originator of the mini-van dating back to the early 80s, and it's still around and this is a totally different look from what we've seen in the mini-vans, it's a pretty sleek looking mini-van and it's just a smooth ride," said Jim OBrill, marketing director for the Chicago Auto Show.

Plus, it gets over 520 miles of range, when combining both electric and gas, which should eliminate range anxiety.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors aged 62 and older, $10 for children 4-12 and children 3 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Masks are required for all attendees age 2 and over, except when eating or drinking. Proof of COVID vaccination is not required for admission, but is required for designated food and beverage areas.