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Published on Leave a comment on Central Ohio Car Shows & Motorcycle Events | September 28 – October 4, 2026
1965 Ford Mustang - Owner: Bart Drumm

As we head into the first weekend of October, the schedule starts to thin out as many of the weekly and monthly cruise-ins and bike nights wrap up for the season. However, there are still plenty of events to choose from on Saturday and Sunday.

The Der Dutchman Cruise-In concludes its season with its annual banquet on Thursday, while Boots and the Auto Smarts Radio Cruise and Ride Tour call it a year Sunday at Moose Lodge 1427.

There’s one more full Saturday of events coming up on October 10 before the schedule drops off considerably as the leaves change and the weather starts to cool.

Monday (September 28th):

Tuesday (September 29th):

Wednesday (September 30th):

Thursday (October 1st):

Friday (October 2nd):

Saturday (October 3rd):

Sunday (October 4th):

Be sure to check out the Save the Dates for 2026 page for the most comprehensive, best-organized list of upcoming Central Ohio car shows, cruise-ins, meet-ups, and bike events you’ll find anywhere online.

Don’t miss a single event — bookmark it and stay in the loop all season long.

If you'd like to be notified by email when a new posting appears, click the Subscribe link at the top. This is a non-profit website. Rest assured your email address will NEVER be sold to marketers. There's no risk of more spam mail in your inbox if you subscribe.

NEWS AND NOTES

Der Dutchman Cruise-In:

Soggy fields, tall grass, and no food sales couldn’t discourage 317 vehicles from attending the final Der Dutchman Cruise-In of the season Thursday evening.

The day started out a little “iffy,” but by early afternoon, something no one had seen for four days appeared in the sky. I think it’s called the sun.

It’s been a roller coaster year for the cruise-in weather-wise. We started in May with temperatures in the 50s, fought through multiple weeks of 90-plus-degree temperatures, and had two weeks canceled because the fields were too wet for cars, with several more that could have easily been canceled because of all the rain this summer.

Despite all that, Thursday evenings were still something to look forward to—hanging out with friends and checking out all the beautiful and unique vehicles on display.

Here’s a look at some of the rides that made it out to the final cruise-in of 2026.

Dan the Man Car Show:

Saturday saw the 3rd Annual Dan the Man Car Show, held in memory of Daniel Chapman, who passed away in 2023. Dan enjoyed racing Mustangs, riding his motorcycle, and attending car shows.

The show took place in Alexandria and registered 105 vehicles. The $20 registration fee was collected as participants drove into the show and included two raffle tickets. One ticket served as proof that the registration fee had been paid. The second, along with five additional tickets given at registration, gave each participant six chances to win a 65-inch Vizio flat-screen TV.

Additional tickets could be purchased for a silent auction and 50/50 drawing. All proceeds from the show benefit First Descents, which offers free programs to young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions.

Live musical entertainment was provided by the Jesse Blankenship Band. Several food trucks were on hand to satisfy anyone’s hunger or thirst, while a bounce house gave the kids a place to blow off some energy.

There were 39 awards given out at the end of the show. These included awards for the Top 25 with the remaining 14 being custom made by Bill Kelly.

Here are the Specialty selections:

  • KID'S CHOICE: 1968 Pontiac CTO - Craig Gallagher
  • JOLLY PIRATE DONUTS' CHOICE: 1970 Dodge Challenger 6 Pack - Bob Meldahl
  • BEST EXOTIC: 2023 Jaguar F Type - Russell Fish
  • BEST CLASSIC TRUCK: 1950 Chevy 3100 - Richard Dunbar
  • BEST OFF-ROAD BUGGY: 2019 Polaris XP 1000 Turbo - Steve Miller
  • BEST TOY: 2022 Polaris R2R Turbo - Matt Miller
  • TOP TRUCK: 1983 Chevy K-10 - Jim Budd
  • TOP CAR: 1968 Chevy Corvette - Jim Bickel
  • MOST UNIQUE: 1939 Dodge Repo-Wrecker - Doug Dever
  • BEST MOTORCYCLE: 2026 Harley-Davidson Street Glide - Rick Wilson
  • BEST RAT ROD: 1954 Chevy Rat Rod Wrecker - James Crites

Best of Show honors went to Steve Kidwell and Nancy with their 1965 Pontiac GTO.

The most important award of the show was Daniel's Pick which Mike Smith's 1966 Pontiac Catalina received.

It turned out to be a beautiful day for a car show, and there were certainly a lot of high-quality rides on display. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention two of the more unique vehicles in attendance.

The first was a 1998 Subaru Sambar Volkswagen Mini Van conversion. At first, I thought the windshield placard was a mistake, but the rear of the vehicle does indeed have a Subaru emblem.

The second was a Hummer kit car pulling a speed boat. Definitely not something you’d see at most car shows.

Both of these are examples of what makes attending shows in some of the smaller communities around Central Ohio so great. You just never know what you’re going to see.

CONTINUE READING

Published on Leave a comment on Central Ohio Car Shows & Motorcycle Events | September 21 – 27, 2026
This week's featured vehicle is a 2021 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss - Owner: Jeff Ward
2021 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss - Owner: Jeff Ward

As we head into the final full week of September, many weekly and monthly events will be holding their final gatherings of the season. The largest of these will be the Der Dutchman Cruise-In in Plain City, which wraps up the outdoor portion of its 2026 season on Thursday the 24th.

Saturdays, however, remain packed with events for the next three weeks before the schedule begins to taper off as we head into the final few weeks of the 2026 car show season.

Monday (September 21st):

Tuesday (September 22nd):

Wednesday (September 23rd):

Thursday (September 24th):

Friday (September 25th):

Saturday (September 26th):

Sunday (September 27th):

Be sure to check out the Save the Dates for 2026 page for the most comprehensive, best-organized list of upcoming Central Ohio car shows, cruise-ins, meet-ups, and bike events you’ll find anywhere online.

Don’t miss a single event — bookmark it and stay in the loop all season long.

If you'd like to be notified by email when a new posting appears, click the Subscribe link at the top. This is a non-profit website. Rest assured your email address will NEVER be sold to marketers. There's no risk of more spam mail in your inbox if you subscribe.

NEWS AND NOTES

Der Dutchman Cruise-In:

It looked a little iffy for a dry cruise-in during the early afternoon, but a cell of rain somehow split in two, with one part going north and the other south, leaving the second-to-last Der Dutchman Cruise-In of the season high and dry Thursday evening.

With the threat of rain gone by showtime, the cruise-in managed 171 vehicles in attendance, including nine first-timers.

This coming week (9/24) will be the final cruise-in of 2026, so if you haven’t made it out to one yet, you’ve got one last chance. The following week will be the annual banquet, and then we’re done until next May.

Ricart Cruise-In:

Ricart Chevrolet, Buick and GMC on Billingsley Road in Columbus hosted a cruise-in Friday evening.

The only requirement to participate was that you arrive in a GM vehicle.

The evening included a DJ and multiple food trucks. About 30 cars showed up during the two hours I was there.

CONTINUE READING

Published on Leave a comment on Central Ohio Car Shows & Motorcycle Events | September 14 – 20, 2026
The featured vehicle this week is the 1984 Buick Regal owned by Jim Jackson.
1984 Buick Regal - Owner: Jim Jackson

The Central Ohio car show schedule is showing no signs of slowing down just yet. Saturday alone has 26 events on the calendar, with Circleville, Columbus, Lancaster, Marion, and Newark all hosting multiple events.

Sunday keeps things rolling with another full schedule, highlighted by the All Oldsmobile Show, The Toy Barn Fall Show, Speak for the Unspoken, and the Cupola Classic.

With this many events on the calendar, there’s no excuse not to get out and participate in some kind of car or motorcycle event this week.

Monday (September 14th):

Tuesday (September 15th):

Wednesday (September 16th):

Thursday (September 17th):

Friday (September 18th):

Saturday (September 19th):

Sunday (September 20th):

Be sure to check out the Save the Dates for 2026 page for the most comprehensive, best-organized list of upcoming Central Ohio car shows, cruise-ins, meet-ups, and bike events you’ll find anywhere online.

Don’t miss a single event — bookmark it and stay in the loop all season long.

If you'd like to be notified by email when a new posting appears, click the Subscribe link at the top. This is a non-profit website. Rest assured your email address will NEVER be sold to marketers. There's no risk of more spam mail in your inbox if you subscribe.

NEWS AND NOTES

Der Dutchman Cruise-In:

The Der Dutchman Cruise-In just can’t seem to catch a break with the weather this season. It’s either been a field too wet for cars, temperatures hotter than a pizza oven, or, in Thursday’s case, a monsoon.

The rain hit around 5:15 PM, and boy, did it come down hard.

Despite the wet forecast, 94 vehicles still showed up for the cruise-in before Mother Nature took over.

LeaveAMark Motor Sports Car & Motorcycle Show:

Leave A Mark Church in South Columbus hosted its second annual Motor Sports Car & Motorcycle Show on Friday evening. The event drew more than 95 registered cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

Along with the vehicles on display, the evening included a silent auction and 50/50 drawing, with hot dogs, chips, and water available for anyone looking for a bite to eat.

Awards were presented to the Top 10, along with Best Ford, Best Chevy, Best Mopar, Best Motorcycle, Best Truck, Pastor’s Choice, and Best of Show.

Here are the Top 10 winners:

  • 1962 Chevy Impala SS - Mark & Patty Enyart
  • 2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray - Jim McGruder
  • 1967 Chevy Camaro - Mark & Mary Lester
  • 1967 Chevy Corvette Stingray - Dale Pearce
  • 2001 Chevy S-10 - Louie Enyart
  • 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 Express - Logan Gates
  • 1958 Chevy Impala - Dr. Ron Rogers
  • 2012 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport - George Spohn
  • 2022 Chevy Camaro SS -
  • 2011 Ford GT500 Shelby SVT - Brian Edington

The six Specialty winners:

  • PASTOR'S CHOICE: 1941 Dodge WC 40 - Kevin Foust
  • BEST TRUCK - 1936 Willy's Pickup - Ryan Jordan
  • BEST FORD - 1965 Ford Mustang - Tony Berta
  • BEST CHEVY - 1970 Chevy Nova - Don Fosco
  • BEST MOPAR: 2023 Dodge Charger - Rod Smith
  • BEST BIKE: 2000 Fatboy - Kevin Peters

The Best of Show honors went to Steve Kidwell and Nancy with and their 1954 Chevy Corvette.

It was a great evening with great cars and great friends. My only complaint was the number of lifted pickup trucks.

Apparently, I either need to grow another eight inches or start carrying a step ladder so I can photograph the window placards. 😁

CONTINUE READING

Published on Leave a comment on Central Ohio Car Shows & Motorcycle Events | September 8 – 13, 2026
1965 Mercury Comet - Owner: Steve Evans

The second week of September brings another full schedule of Central Ohio car and motorcycle events. There are the usual cruise-ins and bike nights throughout the week, with the schedule really heating up on Friday.

Saturday is packed with events stretching from Bellefontaine to Waverly, with one of the biggest being Lite the Nite in Newark. Sunday features two manufacturer-specific events—the Corvette Gathering XXI in Lancaster and the All Ford Show in Plain City.

Whatever suits your fancy, there are plenty of car and motorcycle events to choose from around Central Ohio this week.

Tuesday (September 8th):

Wednesday (September 9th):

Thursday (September 10th):

Friday (September 11th):

Saturday (September 12th):

Sunday (September 13th):

Be sure to check out the Save the Dates for 2026 page for the most comprehensive, best-organized list of upcoming Central Ohio car shows, cruise-ins, meet-ups, and bike events you’ll find anywhere online.

Don’t miss a single event — bookmark it and stay in the loop all season long.

If you'd like to be notified by email when a new posting appears, click the Subscribe link at the top. This is a non-profit website. Rest assured your email address will NEVER be sold to marketers. There's no risk of more spam mail in your inbox if you subscribe.

NEWS AND NOTES

Der Dutchman Cruise-In:

It was a HOT 🔥 one Thursday evening. “How hot was it, you ask?” Well, according to the WeatherBug app on my phone, it was 95 degrees at 5 PM and still 93 degrees at 7 PM.

The heat kept a lot of the regulars home. Still, despite the unusually warm—or should I say HOT—temperatures, 193 vehicles attended the weekly cruise-in. No question, the shade trees along Jefferson Ave. (Rt. 42) provided the premium parking spots for the evening. And thanks to a nice breeze, if you could find some shade and just sit there, it was actually tolerable.

Here are some of the vehicles whose owners decided sauna-like temperatures weren’t going to keep them from cruising Thursday evening.

Zucchinifest Car & Motorcycle Show:

The City of Obetz hosts its annual Zucchinifest Festival Friday through Monday of Labor Day weekend at Fortress Obetz. The festival features amusement rides, multiple concerts, plenty of food, and a car show on Friday evening.

The Friday car show dodged some area showers and still had 133 vehicles turn out for the event. All proceeds from the show benefit Honor Flight.

Dan “Boots” Longenette from Auto Smarts Radio presented the awards. Steve Elam’s Simplex Military Motorcycle received the Best Bike award, while Dale Pearce’s 1950 Chevy 3100 took home Best Truck.

Best of Show honors went to Troy Lee and his 1960 Chevy Biscayne.

CONTINUE READING

Published on Leave a comment on Central Ohio Car Shows & Motorcycle Events | August 31 to September 7, 2026
1976 AMC Pacer X - Owner: Daulton Hosler

This week leads us into the last holiday weekend of the 2026 Central Ohio car show season, with Labor Day being celebrated on Monday, September 7th.

Friday kicks off the weekend with a bang with the ZucchiniFest Car and Motorcycle Show, while the final Springfield Swap Meet of the year takes place Friday and Saturday. On Saturday, Mechanicsburg hosts its annual Hometown Heroes Show, along with the always-popular Import Face-Off.

Sunday brings a host of events stretching from Canal Winchester to Sabina, and we cap off the holiday weekend on Monday with shows in Columbus, Springfield, and Woodstock.

Oh yeah, and there’s one other little event happening this weekend—Ohio State kicks off its football season on Saturday. Go Bucks!

Please Note: Because of the Labor Day holiday, next week’s list will be posted on Tuesday, September 8th, so Monday’s events can be included.

Monday (August 31st):

  • No Events Found

Tuesday (September 1st):

Wednesday (September 2nd):

Thursday (September 3rd):

Friday (September 4th):

Saturday (September 5th):

Sunday (September 6th):

Monday (September 7th - Labor Day):

Be sure to check out the Save the Dates for 2026 page for the most comprehensive, best-organized list of upcoming Central Ohio car shows, cruise-ins, meet-ups, and bike events you’ll find anywhere online.

Don’t miss a single event — bookmark it and stay in the loop all season long.

If you'd like to be notified by email when a new posting appears, click the Subscribe link at the top. This is a non-profit website. Rest assured your email address will NEVER be sold to marketers. There's no risk of more spam mail in your inbox if you subscribe.

NEWS AND NOTES

Ruzty Nutz Wednesday Night Cruise-In:

I took advantage of the nice weather Wednesday evening to check out the Ruzty Nutz Wednesday Night Cruise-In at the Grace Chapel Community Church in Westerville. The nice weather contributed to a great turnout, with more than 50 vehicles in attendance.

The Flavor To food truck was on hand until about 6:30 to help satisfy anyone’s thirst or hunger. A large portion of the attendees gathered in the usual shaded spot, shooting the breeze and talking cars.

I caught Mike Lowe doing a wipe down on his Chevy K5 Blazer.

Dave and Kathy Montgomery showed up in their brand-new 2027 Corvette Stingray, one of the first of the 2027s to hit the streets, powered by the new 6.7L (409 ci) LS6 V8. I gotta say, it sounded pretty good on startup.

Here are some of the other vehicles that turned out to enjoy the evening of cars and community.

Der Dutchman Cruise-In:

After a two-week hiatus because of rain-saturated fields, the Der Dutchman Cruise-In in Plain City returned Thursday evening. With the weatherman finally cooperating, along with some pent-up demand, 441 vehicles turned out for this week’s cruise-in.

Here’s a sampling of some of the cars that made it out to Plain City. As always, there was a wide variety of vehicles to enjoy.

CONTINUE READING

2

Published on 2 Comments on Central Ohio Car Shows & Motorcycle Events | August 24 – 30, 2026
1968 Ford Mustang - Owner: Phil Spangler

ATTENTION: A Maserati engine cover was found in the parking lot following the Andon’s Pub Car Show on Sunday. If it belongs to you, please call 614-206-3179.

Hard to believe we’ve already reached the last week of August. We’re looking at September, October, and a couple of weeks in November, and then the Central Ohio car show season will be over.

There’s nothing on the schedule Monday, but things get underway Tuesday with the usual lineup of weekly cruise-ins and bike nights. Saturday’s schedule is a little lighter this week before we head into the final holiday weekend of the summer. The bad news is that some events drop off the schedule after this week.

Monday (August 24th):

  • No Events Found

Tuesday (August 25th):

Wednesday (August 26th):

Thursday (August 27th):

Friday (August 28th):

Saturday (August 29th):

Sunday (August 30th):

Be sure to check out the Save the Dates for 2026 page for the most comprehensive, best-organized list of upcoming Central Ohio car shows, cruise-ins, meet-ups, and bike events you’ll find anywhere online.

Don’t miss a single event — bookmark it and stay in the loop all season long.

If you'd like to be notified by email when a new posting appears, click the Subscribe link at the top. This is a non-profit website. Rest assured your email address will NEVER be sold to marketers. There's no risk of more spam mail in your inbox if you subscribe.

NEWS AND NOTES

Der Dutchman Cruise-In:

For the second week in a row, heavy rains and saturated fields forced the cancellation of the Der Dutchman Cruise-In.

Full Throttle Thursdays:

Thursday’s cancellation of the Der Dutchman Cruise-In gave me the opportunity to check out Full Throttle Thursdays at Fortress Obetz. It’s definitely a different type of crowd than what you’ll find each week at Der Dutchman.

I estimated about 40–50 cars showed up while I was there, along with hundreds of motorcycles. Everything was parked outside the Fortress, while inside there were tables and chairs along with a stage set up for the band. Participants could enjoy food from the various food trucks as well as adult beverages.

This week’s band was Jackass Genius, with a lead singer who was definitely doing his best Mick Jagger impersonation.

The event clearly caters to the motorcycle crowd, with some cars and trucks thrown in for good measure.

Between the smell of weed and the obnoxiously loud car stereos blaring in the parking lot, I don’t think I’ll be rushing back anytime soon. If nothing else, I can now say I’ve been there.

Enjoy the photos from the evening.

NAPA Friday Night Cruise-In:

Just slightly more “laid-back” than Full Throttle Thursdays was the second NAPA Friday Night Cruise-in of the season in Hilliard.

With a perfect evening of weather, about 30 cars stopped by to hang out and talk cars. The quality of the rides was also top notch. And in a complete reversal from Thursday night, I counted exactly one motorcycle. No bands or blaring stereos here either—just a good old-fashioned Friday night cruise-in.

CONTINUE READING

Published on Leave a comment on Central Ohio Car Shows & Motorcycle Events | August 17 – 23, 2026
Featured car for August 17 - 23, 2026: 1969 Chevy Nova - Owner: Ed Wilson
1969 Chevy Nova - Owner: Ed Wilson

We enter the third week of August once again with a full schedule of events every day of the week. Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t been very cooperative for car shows the past two weeks. Let’s hope the pattern shifts to something a little drier and less humid.

Things start off relatively quietly on Monday and Tuesday before the schedule kicks into high gear on Wednesday and Thursday. Motorcycle enthusiasts have plenty to choose from midweek, with bike nights scattered throughout Central Ohio, while the weekly cruise-in schedule remains just as busy.

Saturday is once again the big day with more than 21 events on the schedule. Chillicothe alone has three shows scheduled, while Delaware and Grove City each have multiple events. Sunday closes out the week with another full slate of car shows, cruise-ins, and motorcycle events spread across Central Ohio.

As always, check the individual event listings before heading out, especially if Mother Nature decides she isn’t finished messing with us yet.

Monday (August 17th):

Tuesday (August 18th):

Wednesday (August 19th):

Thursday (August 20th):

Friday (August 21st):

Saturday (August 22nd):

Sunday (August 23rd):

Be sure to check out the Save the Dates for 2026 page for the most comprehensive, best-organized list of upcoming Central Ohio car shows, cruise-ins, meet-ups, and bike events you’ll find anywhere online.

Don’t miss a single event — bookmark it and stay in the loop all season long.

If you'd like to be notified by email when a new posting appears, click the Subscribe link at the top. This is a non-profit website. Rest assured your email address will NEVER be sold to marketers. There's no risk of more spam mail in your inbox if you subscribe.

NEWS AND NOTES

Der Dutchman Cruise-In:

No Der Dutchman Cruise-In to report on this week. Heavy rains earlier in the week saturated the fields, leaving them far too wet to host Thursday’s cruise-in.

Pharisburg UMC Car Show and Cuisine:

Shaun “Big Dawg” Sanders and the C-Town Cruisers started the weekend off on Friday by helping to host the Pharisburg United Methodist Church Car Show and Cuisine north of Marysville.

Along with the car show, attendees enjoyed a meal from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and vintage songs performed by Chuck Magill. The show drew 34 cars, with the Best of Cruise award going to Yancy Smith and his 1972 Chevy Nova.

Here are a few photos from the show taken by Jeff Shankle. Jeff also debuted his new-to-him El Camino at the show.

Vance Outdoors Classic Cruise-In:

This year’s Vance Outdoors Classic Cruise-In to raise money for Honor Flight Columbus and Honor Flight Tri-State turned out to be a soggy affair. Heavy rains earlier in the week left the grass field rather mushy for parking, and off-and-on rain showers Saturday morning certainly didn’t help. Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, hosts Dan “Boots” Longenette and the Auto Smarts Radio Cruise and Ride team still managed to register 71 vehicles.

The drawing for the golf cart, which people purchased raffle tickets for throughout the season at Auto Smarts Radio car shows, took place at noon. This year’s lucky winners were David Bratton and Lou.

All told, an impressive $79,000 has been raised for Honor Flight this season.

Everyone who registered a vehicle received a trophy sponsored by Vance Outdoors as a way of thanking them for their support of Honor Flight.

There were also several “Special” Awards presented at the end of the show, along with large trophies for the Vance Outdoors Pick, Honor Flight Pick, and Best of Show.

Here are the "Special" Award winners:

  • BECAUSE WE LIKE IT: 1985 Chevy C-10 - Bill Wharton
  • AUTO SMARTS PICK: 1956 Mercury - Jan Hauger
  • MODERN MUSCLE PICK #1: 2005 Corvette - Mark Enyart
  • MODERN MUSCLE PICK #2: 2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing - Kim Hawksworth
  • MODERN MUSCLE PICK #3: 2021 Chevy Camaro - Dennis Call
  • BOOTS' PICK #1: 1973 Chevy Chevelle - Rick Newsome
  • BOOTS' PICK #2: 1979 Pontiac Trans Am - Jay McCallister
  • BOOTS' PICK #3: 1957 Chevy Bel Air - David Elliott
  • BEST IMPORT: 2010 Honda Accord - Anibal Arroyo
  • BEST MOPAR: 2020 Dodge Challenger - Josh Drake
  • BEST TRUCK: 1972 Chevy C-10 Stepside - Doug Glassburn
  • RADICAL TRUCK: 1959 Chevy El Camino - Ralph Carle
  • BEST FORD: 1947 Ford Special Deluxe - Mike Mathews
  • BEST RAT ROD: 1969 Dodge Dart - Rebecca Morrison
  • BEST CHEVY: 1969 Chevy Camaro SS - Mark Evans
  • BEST GM: 1967 Chevy Camaro RS - Bobby Wong
  • LADIES PICK: 1978 Chevy Corvette Pace Car - Frank Deering
  • RADICAL IMPORT: 1993 Mazda RX7 - Joel Charrez
  • VANCE'S PICK: 1970 Ford Torino GT - Chris Kraner
  • HONOR FLIGHT PICK: 1937 Wild Rod Ford - Dave Bratton
  • BEST OF SHOW: 1967 Chevy Corvette - Dale Pearce

Boots presented the awards more than an hour early so everyone could make it home before any more rain moved in. Ironically, by the time it was all said and done, the roads had dried, which was a good thing in addition to all the money raised for Honor Flight.

CONTINUE READING

Published on Leave a comment on Central Ohio Car Shows & Motorcycle Events | August 10 – 16, 2026
2026 "Welcome to the Jungle" Cincinnati Bengals decorated Chevy Corvette Stingray belonging to Gregory Johnson.
2026 "Welcome To The Jungle" Chevy Corvette - Owner: Gregory Johnson

As we move into the middle of August, the calendar remains packed with events, especially on Saturday and Sunday, in addition to the many weekly cruise-ins and bike nights throughout Central Ohio. Some of this week’s highlights include the Vance Outdoors Car Show in Obetz benefiting Honor Flight Columbus, the Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival Car Show, the Igniters Rod Run & Car Show in Chillicothe, and the Larry Coolidge Memorial Cruise-In, formerly known as the Powell Cruize-In & Pig Out.

Be sure to check out the complete schedule below, and as always, verify event details before heading out in case of weather-related changes or last-minute updates.

Monday (August 10th):

  • No Events Found

Tuesday (August 11th):

Wednesday (August 12th):

Thursday (August 13th):

Friday (August 14th):

Saturday (August 15th):

Sunday (August 16th):

Be sure to check out the Save the Dates for 2026 page for the most comprehensive, best-organized list of upcoming Central Ohio car shows, cruise-ins, meet-ups, and bike events you’ll find anywhere online.

Don’t miss a single event — bookmark it and stay in the loop all season long.

If you'd like to be notified by email when a new posting appears, click the Subscribe link at the top. This is a non-profit website. Rest assured your email address will NEVER be sold to marketers. There's no risk of more spam mail in your inbox if you subscribe.

NEWS AND NOTES

Der Dutchman Cruise-In:

It’s amazing how just a few degrees can affect attendance. Last week, with temperatures in the low 80s, more than 500 vehicles filled the Der Dutchman Cruise-In. This week, with highs climbing into the mid to upper 80s, attendance dropped to 279 vehicles. Even so, that’s still a turnout most events would be thrilled to have.

The variety and quality of vehicles on hand were once again outstanding. Here are some of the evening’s highlights, captured through the combined photos of Jeff Shankle and yours truly.

Hosanna Church Car Show:

Thanks to pop-up rain showers that moved through the area Friday afternoon, the 13th Annual Hosanna Church Car Show in Pataskala was a shell of its former self compared to last year. In 2025, the parking lot was bulging with 135 vehicles. This year, thanks to the rain, attendance barely made into the 20s. But as they say in the entertainment business, “The show must go on,” and that it did.

Jeff Tolley’s 1965 Chevy C-10 pickup received the People’s Choice Award, while Dave O’Brien’s 1982 Chevy C-10 pickup was selected Best of Show.

Among the other award winners were Mark and Mary Lester, whose 1967 Chevy Camaro took home the Best of the ’60s award.

Here are some rain-soaked photos Jeff Tolley took at Friday’s show.

CONTINUE READING

2

Published on 2 Comments on Central Ohio Car Shows & Motorcycle Events | August 3 – 9, 2026
This week's featured vehicles is a 1952 Chevy Suburban - Owner: Bobby Pigg
1952 Chevy Suburban - Owner: Bobby Pigg

The calendar doesn’t slow down as we turn the page to August. Another full week of car and motorcycle events is on tap to kick off the first full week of the month, with Saturday once again featuring an outstanding lineup of shows.

One of the weekend’s marquee events is Vettes, Rods, & Classics, long considered one of Central Ohio’s premier charity car shows. This year the show moves to a new date and a new venue, the Gahanna Tech Center, replacing its longtime home at Creekside in Gahanna.

Saturday’s schedule is loaded with other can’t-miss events as well, including Hot Summer Nights in Bellefontaine, Volksfest 35, The Classic Car Show in Commercial Point, and the rescheduled Ye Olde Mill Rod Run & Picnic in Utica. Those are just a few of the many opportunities to get out, enjoy the weather, and spend the day surrounded by great cars, motorcycles, and fellow enthusiasts.

UPDATE: After Mother Nature did a complete 180 from the beautiful weather we enjoyed the previous weekend, several car shows were forced to reschedule. A number of those events have been moved to this coming Saturday and Sunday, making an already packed weekend schedule even busier.

Monday (August 3rd):

Tuesday (August 4th):

Wednesday (August 5th):

Thursday (August 6th):

Friday (August 7th):

Saturday (August 8th):

Sunday (August 9th):

Be sure to check out the Save the Dates for 2026 page for the most comprehensive, best-organized list of upcoming Central Ohio car shows, cruise-ins, meet-ups, and bike events you’ll find anywhere online.

Don’t miss a single event — bookmark it and stay in the loop all season long.

If you'd like to be notified by email when a new posting appears, click the Subscribe link at the top. This is a non-profit website. Rest assured your email address will NEVER be sold to marketers. There's no risk of more spam mail in your inbox if you subscribe.

NEWS AND NOTES

Der Dutchman Cruise-In:

It was another big Thursday evening at the Der Dutchman Cruise-In in Plain City. Thanks in part to the participation of several Corvette clubs, 538 vehicles filled the grounds.

While that was down slightly from the record-setting 561 vehicles the previous week, another milestone was reached with 41 first-time participants attending the cruise-in.

This video montage, created from the combined photos of Jeff Shankle, Bryan Mauger, Tom Lawrence, and yours truly, captures the energy, excitement, and outstanding rides that made Thursday’s cruise-in another memorable evening.

Urbana Knights of Columbus Car Show:

The Urbana Knights of Columbus hosted its 23rd Annual Car Show on Friday evening at St. Mary Catholic Church in Urbana. This year’s show attracted 88 registered vehicles. Tom Lawrence attended the show and shared photos of most of the vehicles on display.

CONTINUE READING

2

Published on 2 Comments on Central Ohio Car and Bike Events for July 27 to August 2, 2026
1951 Ford F-1 Pickup - Owners: Annette & Pete Lieb
1951 Ford F-1 Pickup - Owners: Annette & Pete Lieb

This week wraps up another month of the 2026 show season, and the final third officially begins on Saturday. The biggest attraction will undoubtedly be the Mopar Nationals at Darana/National Trail Raceway, along with the many cruise-ins and parties surrounding one of Central Ohio’s premier automotive events. While Monday offers a chance to catch your breath, the rest of the week is packed with car shows, cruise-ins, bike nights, and special events. There’s simply no excuse not to get out and enjoy an event or two this week.

Monday (July 27th):

  • No Events Found

Tuesday (July 28th):

Wednesday (July 29th):

Thursday (July 30th):

Friday (July 31st):

Saturday (August 1st):

Sunday (August 2nd):

Be sure to check out the Save the Dates for 2026 page for the most comprehensive, best-organized list of upcoming Central Ohio car shows, cruise-ins, meet-ups, and bike events you’ll find anywhere online.

Don’t miss a single event — bookmark it and stay in the loop all season long.

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NEWS AND NOTES

Der Dutchman Cruise-In:

You know it’s going to be a big evening when you arrive shortly before 4:00 PM, the main field is already full, and two rows of vehicles have formed on the overflow field. And indeed, it was a huge evening, with 551 vehicles in attendance. The turnout was so impressive that even the Plain City and Columbus Police stopped by to check it out.

I don’t think there were ever fewer than 10 people standing in line at the food concession all evening, and Wayne was back in his dress jeans and boots thanks to the cooler temperatures.

As usual, the variety and quality of the vehicles on display were outstanding. Here’s a sampling of Thursday evening’s cars and trucks from the combined photos taken by Tom Lawrence, Bryan Mauger, and yours truly.

Next week is Corvette week with three clubs participating. The long range forecast looks good so expect another big turnout.

Friday Night NAPA Cruise-In:

The first Friday Night NAPA Cruise-In of the season took place in Hilliard on Friday evening.

About 30 vehicles turned out to enjoy pleasant summer weather and good conversation. There was definitely a Mustang vibe, with Fords making up the largest group of cars in attendance. The second most represented brands were Porsche and Corvette, with three examples of each, followed by Dodge with two of its newest muscle cars—one all-electric Charger Daytona and one gas-powered Charger Sixpack.

While the turnout was modest compared to some of the area’s larger cruise-ins, it provided a relaxed atmosphere where participants had plenty of time to visit with fellow enthusiasts and take a close look at the vehicles on display.

Here are a few of the cars that caught our attention Friday evening.

Blackwing Summer Blast Car Show:

The Blackwing Shooting Center in Delaware hosted its annual Summer Blast on Saturday, featuring a car show, a large retail sale, and a raffle with premium prizes. Manufacturer representatives were also on hand to showcase their latest products and answer questions from attendees. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Little Ladies Ice Cream provided food and refreshments throughout the day, and every registered show vehicle received a door prize ticket. Proceeds from the car show benefited youth shooting sports.

This year’s show attracted one of its best turnouts, with approximately 115 registered vehicles. The Shooting Center presented 10 specialty awards, including Eye Catcher, Under Construction, Greaser’s Choice, Most Unique, Coolest Drop Top Ever, Ladies’ Favorite, Favorite Truck, Favorite Car, Favorite Engine, and the Blackwing Show Favorite.

Before getting to the award-winning vehicles, one of the cooler sights at the show was a group of five Chrysler 300s that arrived together and parked side by side. It’s not often you see that many first-generation 300s together in one place.

Now on to this year’s award-winning vehicles.

  • EYE CATCHER: 1964 Chrysler 300 - Owner: Moye
  • UNDER CONSTRUCTION: 1950 Ford F1 Panel Van - Owner: DeJarnette
  • CREASERS AWARD: 1955 Chevy Pickup - Owner: Collins
  • MOST UNIQUE: 1968 Hercules Mule - Owner: Parks
  • COOLEST DROP-TOP EVER: 2000 Pontiac Trans Am Firehawk - Owner: Harris
  • LADIES FAVORITE: 1966 Ford Mustang - Owner: Hocker
  • FAVORITE TRUCK: 1953 Chevy 3100 - Owner: Milliron
  • FAVORITE CAR: 1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda - Owner: Ferguson

Not Pictured: BEST ENGINE: 1970 Chevy Chevelle with a 454

And finally, the Blackwing's Show Favorite went to Greg Nobis and his 1951 Hudson Hornet.

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