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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 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

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.

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:

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.

CONTINUE READING

Published on
1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe - Owner: Ed Norris

The Central Ohio car and bike show season is no longer heating up — it’s officially RED HOT! With 29 events scheduled on Saturday and 13 more on Sunday, enthusiasts have more choices this weekend than at any point so far this season.

Whether your preference is a traditional judged car show, a laid-back cruise-in, a Cars & Coffee gathering, a motorcycle event, or a charity fundraiser, there’s something happening in nearly every corner of Central Ohio. In fact, if you can’t find an event that interests you this weekend, you might want to seek professional help because the rest of us will be busy checking out cool cars, motorcycles, and catching up with friends. Enjoy the weekend and make the most of what promises to be one of the busiest weekends of the 2026 season!

Monday (June 8th):

  • No Events Found

Tuesday (June 9th):

Wednesday (June 10th):

Thursday (June 11th):

Friday (June 12th):

Saturday (June 13th):

Sunday (June 14th):

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 only took five weeks, but we finally had a Thursday evening with sunshine, summer-like temperatures, and completely dry fields for parking. The combination proved to be the perfect recipe for a turnout of 471 vehicles, including 32 first-timers, which established a new record for first-time participants at the cruise-in.

The restaurant also added a little extra fun to the evening. Free ice cream and hamburgers were awarded to the first person to arrive at the registration table wearing a Der Dutchman Cruise-In ball cap, a 2026 Der Dutchman Cruise-In t-shirt, or both. It was a simple promotion that generated plenty of interest among regular attendees.

The Volkswagen group, which postponed its gathering last week because of the wet field conditions, finally got its opportunity to meet this week. About nine Volkswagen-related vehicles turned out, adding another unique element to the evening’s lineup.

As always, the variety of vehicles on display was one of the evening’s highlights. From pristine classics and muscle cars to modern performance vehicles, hot rods, trucks, and imports, there was something to catch the eye of every automotive enthusiast. Then again, a few of the evening’s most eye-catching attractions didn’t have engines at all.

Combined with ideal weather and strong attendance, it was one of the most enjoyable Der Dutchman Cruise-Ins of the season so far. 😄

Photos courtesy of Jeff Shankle, Bryan Mauger, and yours truly.

Richwood Bank Coffee and Cars:

Richwood Bank in Delaware held its first Coffee and Cars cruise-in of the year on Saturday morning.

Despite rain showers moving through the area, approximately 20 vehicles turned out for the event. Participants were treated to complimentary lemonade freezes or a beverage from the bank’s in-house coffee bar.

With the threat of severe weather looming, organizers elected to wrap up the cruise-in about 30 minutes earlier than planned but not before raffling off a variety of door prizes. Giveaways included Amazon and Advance Auto gift cards, pizza coupons, a basket of car care products with a special item designed to make cleaning that prized vehicle just a little more enjoyable.

While the weather may have limited attendance, those who braved the forecast were rewarded with good company, refreshments, and the chance to spend a few hours talking cars before the storms arrived.

...continue reading "Central Ohio Car and Bike Events for June 8 – 14, 2026"

4

Published on 4 Comments on Central Ohio Car & Bike Events for June 1 – 7, 2026
1933 Ford Coupe - Owners: Rob & Christina Stiffler

This week kicks off a new month of the season, and June looks like it’s going to be a big one. There are already 108 scheduled car and bike events on the calendar, and that does not include the weekly and monthly events.

This week’s lineup once again includes everything from cruise-ins and bike nights to large charity shows, Jeep events, poker runs, swap meets, multiple Cars & Coffee gatherings, and the always crazy Jax Wax Street Madness. If the weather cooperates, there should be no shortage of opportunities to get the toys out of the garage and enjoy the start of another busy summer weekend in the Central Ohio car community.

Monday (June 1st):

Tuesday (June 2nd):

Wednesday (June 3rd):

Thursday (June 4th):

Friday (June 5th):

Saturday (June 6th):

Sunday (June 7th):

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:

This week, the Der Dutchman Cruise-In traded the cool temperatures of the first three weeks for standing water and soggy ground. According to Wayne Nicely, who manages the cruise-in, the area received more than eight inches of rain over the past week. The excessive rainfall forced the closure of the northern end of the main field and several other parking areas.

The rain fall created additional challenges. The restaurant was unable to bring its food truck to the concession stand, resulting in no food or drinks being available. As if that wasn’t enough excitement for one evening, a car caught fire while entering the cruise-in.

Despite the mud and unexpected drama, the event still attracted an impressive 300 vehicles. And while the grounds were far from ideal, the weather itself could not have been much better. The rain finally gave way to a pleasant evening, making it a great night to be out enjoying the cruise-in, even if it was a little squishy underfoot.

Despite the soggy conditions, there were still plenty of vehicles and smiling faces to be found throughout the cruise-in. Here’s a collection of photos from the evening courtesy of Jeff Shankle and yours truly.

The weather this weekend was the complete opposite of Memorial Day weekend, with sunny skies, low humidity, and a refreshing breeze. The near-perfect conditions were reflected in attendance numbers across Central Ohio, as many shows topped the 100-vehicle mark and parking lots filled early.

The FBC (First Baptist Church Grove City) Car, Truck, & Motorcycle Show:

Dan “Boots” Longenette and the Auto Smarts Radio Cruise and Ride Team were in Grove City on Saturday hosting the 10th Annual FBC (First Baptist Church) Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show. All proceeds from the event benefit Honor Flight, helping veterans visit the memorials built in their honor in Washington, D.C.

The show featured a 50/50 raffle, door prizes, and live entertainment from Driving Guitars, keeping participants and spectators entertained throughout the day.

Thanks to the outstanding weather, 139 vehicles were officially registered, with another dozen or so vehicles attending but not entering the judging. The strong turnout made the 10th Annual FBC Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show one of the larger local events of the weekend.

At the conclusion of the show, Boots presented 88 awards, consisting of a mix of traditional trophies and unique Bluetooth speakers designed to resemble classic cars.

Here are some of the top award winners from the day.

  • BEST IMPORT: 2014 Honda Grom - Triston Campbell
  • BEST STREET ROD: 1937 Ford - Dave Bratton
  • BEST MODERN CORVETTE: 2023 Corvette - Tim Decker
  • BEST TRUCK: 1985 Chevy Scotsdale - Larry Fletcher Jr
  • BEST MODERN GM: 2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing - Kim Hawksworth
  • BEST CHEVY: 2000 Chevy Monte Carlo Jeff Gordon Edition - Mason Wolfe
  • BEST MOPAR: 1973 Plymouth Duster/Twister - Dave & Jackie Hiles
  • BEST MODERN MOPAR: 2020 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack - Josh Drake
  • BEST FORD: 1956 Ford Thunderbird - Phil Spangler
  • BEST MODERN FORD: 2020 Ford Mustang GT - Carl Fisher
  • BEST RAT ROD: 1932 Ford Model A - Clark Garn
  • BEST PAINT: 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS - Craig Strauss
  • BEST ENGINE: 1968 Hemi Dodge Dart - Fast Eddie
  • BEST TRI-FIVE: 1957 Chevy - Andy Brown
  • BEST OLD BODY STYLE PICKUP: 1956 Ford F-100 - Richard Jones
  • HONOR FLIGHT PICK: 1957 Chevy Bel Air - David Elliott
  • HONOR FLIGHT PICK: 1969 Chevy Chevelle - Jonathan Shook
  • HONOR FLIGHT PICK: 1966 VW Bus - B. Knoll
  • HONOR FLIGHT PICK: 1932 Ford 5 Window - Gus O'Day
  • FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH PICK: 1991 Chevy Corvette - Marc & Char Cropper
  • Marc Cropper
  • BEST MOTORCYLE: 2015 Harley Davidson Road King - Bruce Herrick
  • 10TH ANNUAL CRUISER AWARD: 1968 Chevy Chevelle - Andrew Van Ert
  • AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: 1967 Chevy Camaro - Steve Click
  • BRIAN KINNETT AWARD: 1979 Pontiac Trans Am - Jay McCallister
  • Jay McAllister
  • PASTOR'S PICK: 1967 Ford Mustang - Mike Fuller
  • ELLIE'S PICK: 1923 Ford Model T - Chris Cook

By unanimous choice of the judges, Best of Show honors were awarded to Bennett Schellhaas and his beautiful 1951 Ford pickup. 

Here are more of the 139+ cars, trucks, and motorcycles that turn out for the FBC Car, Truck & Motorcycle show:

...continue reading "Central Ohio Car & Bike Events for June 1 – 7, 2026"

8

Published on 8 Comments on Central Ohio Car and Bike Events for April 27 – May 3, 2026
1963 Chevy SS - Owner: Bill Albert

The Central Ohio car show season shifts into high gear this weekend as we roll into May. The threat of snow and freeze warnings is finally in the rearview mirror, and for the next six months, it’s all about sunshine, pavement, and polished sheet metal. If your car is still sitting under a cover, now’s the time—get it out and get it on the road.

This week also marks my return to the Buckeye State after spending four months escaping Ohio’s winter. I’m looking forward to getting back into the swing of things and catching up with everyone in the weeks ahead.

Monday (April 27th):

  • No Events Found

Tuesday (April 28th):

Wednesday (April 29th):

Thursday (April 30th):

Friday - (May 1st):

Saturday (May 2nd):

Sunday - (May 3rd):

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

Before getting into this week’s News and Notes, I want to touch on something that comes up often—the next generation of car enthusiasts.

It’s easy for our generation to take shots at the younger generation and say they’re just not into cars the way we were. I’ll admit, the percentage might be a little smaller, but the idea that the car culture is dying off just doesn’t hold up—at least not from what I’ve seen.

A perfect example is the Import Face-Off. People sometimes look at me a bit sideways when I say it’s the second-largest car event in Central Ohio behind Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals—and it makes two stops in the area every year. That kind of turnout doesn’t happen if the next generation isn’t showing up.

The cars may look different than what many of us grew up with—Chevys, Fords, Dodges, and Plymouths—now joined by Hondas, Subarus, Lexus, and Nissans. But the passion is still there. It just wears a different badge.

The bottom line: the next generation of car enthusiasts is alive and well. And if there’s any doubt, just take a look at the crowd from last weekend’s Import Face-Off. Even on a cold, blustery April Sunday, they showed up in force.

Car show organizers might want to take note.

Calvin Rowland Memorial Car Show:

Friday evening, the 2nd Annual Calvin Rowland Memorial Car Show was held at Precision Fleet Repair in Bellefontaine, Ohio.

For those who may not know, Calvin Rowland was a longtime member of the Central Ohio car community who regularly brought his two trucks to car shows until his passing in 2023.

Friday’s show drew 43 cars. Our good friend Jeff Shankle and his “Green Goblin” took home one of the Top awards.

Here are more rides from Friday's show courtesy of Jeff.

READ MORE NEWS AND NOTES

14

The 2025 Central Ohio Car Show Season brought another year of strong turnouts, great events, and memorable moments across the area. Here’s a look back at the highlights, stats, and stories that defined the season.
Published on 14 Comments on 2025 Central Ohio Car Show Season Recap

It’s that time of year again — the last trophies have been handed out, the lawn chairs and tents folded, and most cruisers have put their cars away in anticipation of another Ohio winter. As the temperatures drop and the show fields go quiet, it’s the perfect moment to pause and look back at the Central Ohio car show season that just wrapped up.

Before I dive in, a quick disclaimer: these opinions are entirely my own, based on the events I attended and the vehicles I personally saw. Agree, disagree, or have your own take? Drop it in the comments — I’d love to hear it.

This Year's Stats

Coverage Area: Marion (N), Springfield (W), Chillicothe (S), Newark (E)

Total Events Listed: 1,088 (slightly down from 1,133 in 2024
The drop in total events this year was mainly due to the loss of 40–45 Crossroads events after Frank Russell retired — but there were still plenty of great shows to choose from across Central Ohio.

Busiest Months

  • August — 216 events - a new champ, knocking July off its two-year streak.
  • June — 202
  • July — 161

Busiest Week: June 9–15 (57 events)

Busiest Day: Saturday, June 14 (32 events)

Photos Taken

  • 9,000+ of my own
  • 6,000+ from emails/texts/Facebook

I’m pretty sure I could identify your ride in a police lineup—just don’t ask me to remember your license plate!

Featured Cars at the Start of Each Post: 33

  • Oldest: two 1941 Fords
  • Newest: 2018 Camaro 2SS

Event Recaps Posted: 269
Community Contributors: 44 — THANK YOU!

Website Stats

  • Visitors from January to now: ~90,000 (up 11%)
  • Page Views: 195,000 (up 9%)
  • Subscribers: 770

Participation Award

Just like last year, I managed to hit 92 car events and one bike event this season. Some folks might think that’s a lot — at least until they hear how many events Jeff Tolley and Dave O’Brien have shown up to. As of November 11th, both of them have logged over 210 events. I even saw on Facebook that they went to a cruise-in at a parking garage in Newark this past Saturday. At this point, I’m convinced they’ve either cloned themselves or outsourced their yard work entirely, because there’s no way they’re mowing grass and doing yard work like the rest of us mere mortals.

Without question, Photographer of the Year goes to Jeff Shankle. No one takes more car photos during the season than Jeff. When he shows up to the big events like Goodguys, James Dean, or the Pumpkin Run, you can count on 3,000-plus photos waiting for you to scroll through afterward.

Honorable Mention Photographer this year goes to Bubba Hettinger. When Bubba attends a show, you can pretty much guarantee he’ll photograph every car, truck, and bike — and probably a few other things that catch his eye at the event.

CONTINUE READING THE RECAP

4

Published on 4 Comments on Central Ohio Car and Bike Events for October 6th Thru October 12th, 2025
1965 International Scout Red Carpet Special - Owner: Mike Sullivan

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NEWS AND NOTES

Dutchman Cruise-In Banquet:

Der Dutchman wrapped up another successful cruise-in season on Thursday evening with the annual end-of-season banquet. A total of 177 people signed up to attend this year’s celebration.

After dinner, Cruise-In Manager Wayne Nisly shared some fun facts comparing the 2024 and 2025 seasons:

Total Number of Cruise-Ins:
2024 - 21
2025 - 22

Total Cars Counted for the Season:
2024 - 5,809
2025 - 4,748

Number of Rain Days:
2024 - 2 days
2025 - 4 days

Lowest Attendance:
2024 - 8 Cars
2025 - 10 cars

Highest Single-Day Attendance:
2024 - 414
2025 - 507

First Time Attenders:
2024 - 353
2025 - 259

Wayne also noted that his database now holds 2,140 names, with records purged for anyone who hasn’t attended in four years.

To close out the evening, every household received a plaque in appreciation for their participation in the 2025 cruise-in season.

The banquet was the perfect way to wrap up the 2025 season and look forward to even more great cruise-ins in 2026.

Columbus Cars and Coffee at Alum Creek Marina:

The corporate-sponsored version of Columbus Cars and Coffee switched things up this past Saturday, hosting its meet at Alum Creek Marina for the very first time. The lakeside venue was a unique choice, giving the event a fresh atmosphere that stood out from the usual spots.

With more than 200 cars in attendance, the lot was overflowing—literally—with rows of vehicles stretching into the grass.

And while the mix of cars was diverse, the morning definitely had a Porsche vibe. From Boxsters and Caymans to an impressive lineup of 911s, the brand dominated the waterfront scene.

Check out this video montage for a taste of Saturday morning's action.

READ THE REST OF NEWS AND NOTES

Published on
1997 Dodge Neon Custom - Owner: Brandon Elliott

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NEWS AND NOTES

I have to begin this week’s News and Notes on a somber note. Richard McPeek passed away on September 12, 2025. Richard was a familiar face at car shows in and around the Newark and Licking County area, where he proudly showed his 1934 Ford Sedan. He will be deeply missed by all of us in the car community.

Der Dutchman Cruise-In a Special Evening for Wayne:

Thursday’s second-to-last Der Dutchman Cruise-In of the season was a memorable one for Wayne Nisly, who has managed the event since its beginning. Wayne was honored with the second annual Lifetime Achievement Award from the Speak for the Unspoken Car Show in recognition of his tremendous contributions to the Central Ohio car community.

Under Wayne’s leadership, the cruise-in has grown from just seven cars at its very first gathering in 2012 to an impressive 394 cars this past Thursday. More importantly, he has created a welcoming place where enthusiasts can share their passion for unique and beautiful cars, reconnect with old friends, and forge new friendships. His dedication has left a lasting impact on the Central Ohio car scene—this award was a heartfelt way of saying thank you.

Just a reminder — this week’s cruise-in will be the last one of the season. The following week is the annual end of the season banquet. If you haven’t signed up for the banquet, Thursday will be your final chance to do so.

Ford Vs Ferrari Car Show:

Valley Ford of Columbus hosted its 2nd Annual Ford vs. Ferrari Car Show on Friday evening.

Registration was $10, with all proceeds benefiting QFM96’s Red, White & Q Fund. While no official car count was taken, most attendees estimated between 150–200 vehicles, with Mustangs making up about 90% of the field.

Special guest Steve Saleen, the legendary designer behind Saleen Fords, was on hand signing autographs.

The event also featured a wide variety of food trucks—including some serving adult beverages—that kept the large crowd of spectators and participants well fed.

At the conclusion of the show, six awards were presented:

  • Best Saleen Mustang
  • Best Modern Classic
  • Ladies’ Choice
  • Mechanics’ Choice
  • Dealer’s Choice
  • Best of Show

Here are the six winners:

Best Saleen Mustang: Mathew Bates - 2004 Saleen Mustang

Best Modern Classic: Bob Foutty - 2001 Mustang SVT Cobra

Ladies' Choice: Chris Zakrzewski - 1969 Ford Mustang

Mechanics' Choice: Matt Goff - 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Dealers' Choice - Mike Charles - 1990 Saleen Sports Truck (Not Pictured)

The Best of Show honors went to Todd Damon and his 1966 Ford GT 40 Mark 2

While the winning cars were all impressive, the most eye-catching vehicle of the evening wasn’t a Mustang, Ford GT, or Ferrari—it was a one-of-a-kind 2007 Valarra Corvette, featuring a ProCharged LS2 motor and massive 25-inch, 405-series rear tires!

Although the show welcomed all makes and models, the overwhelming presence of Mustangs and the strong Ford turnout gave the evening a distinctly Ford-focused vibe—just what you’d expect from an event hosted by a Ford dealer.

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1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible - Owner: Brad Culp

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NEWS AND NOTES

Tale of Two Der Dutchman Cruise-Ins:

On Tuesday, the Der Dutchman Restaurant in Bellville, Ohio, wrapped up its cruise-in season with a strong showing of more than 60 cars. Our good friend, Tim Inscho, made the trip to Bellville and captured the event through his camera, sharing some great shots from the evening.

Traveling about 65 miles south two days later, the Der Dutchman Restaurant in Plain City, Ohio, welcomed an impressive 507 cars to its Thursday evening cruise-in. Of those, 21 were first-time participants.

Adding to the variety, an RV and camper rolled in—continuing the trend that began last week with the arrival of an Airstream camper. If this continues, Der Dutchman may have to invest in some RV hookups.

The most unique vehicle of the evening was a 1929 Graham Paige. At first, the Cadillac “V” emblem on its side seemed puzzling, even amusing. But the surprise was under the hood—the car was powered by an LS6 engine pulled from a 2004 Cadillac CTS-V. An unexpected pairing that definitely stood out.

The annual Coffee and Donuts Cruise-In rolled into the Plain City restaurant on Saturday morning, drawing approximately 130 cars. A steady line of attendees formed early, eager to grab a fresh donut and coffee—or another drink of choice—before checking out the cars.

This week’s Der Dutchman cruise-ins in Bellville and Plain City highlighted the enduring passion of Ohio’s car community.

Creative Auto Group/Advance Auto Parts Monthly Car Show:

The Creative Auto Group, in partnership with Advance Auto Parts in Marysville, Ohio, hosted its September car show with 17 cars on display, all set against the backdrop of a hot air balloon floating overhead.

The event raised $113 for the local food pantry, which was presented by Jeff Shankle to Gary and Keitha Simpson.

This month’s winners were Tim Inscho with his 1955 Chevy Bel Air, Tito Moore with a 1932 Ford five-window coupe, and Ray Leopard’s 1976 Olds Cutlass 442.

Tim Inscho
Tito Moore
Ray Leopard

The next show will be on October 10th. Mark your calendar.

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