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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 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

2

Published on 2 Comments on Central Ohio Car and Bike Events for July 6 – 12, 2026
2022 Toyota Supra GR - Owner: Daniel Sabillon

It’s GOODGUYS Week! The largest car event of the year in Central Ohio takes place Friday through Sunday. In addition to the show itself, the weekend will feature after-hour parties, cruise-ins, and the always-popular burnouts that attract enthusiasts from across the region.

Also on this week’s schedule is the Bedell’s Hot Rods Shop Auction on Thursday. And if Goodguys isn’t your thing, don’t worry—there are still plenty of other car shows, cruise-ins, and motorcycle events happening throughout Central Ohio this week.

Monday (June 6th):

Tuesday (July 7th):

Wednesday (July 8th):

Thursday (July 9th):

Friday (July 10th):

Saturday (July 11th):

Sunday (July 12th):

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:

To say the Der Dutchman Cruise-In was a little on the hot side Thursday evening would be an understatement. The best way to enjoy the evening was to find a shady tree to park under and pretty much stay put—which is exactly what I did.

Like the previous week, attendance started out slow but picked up around 6:00 p.m. as temperatures gradually became a little more tolerable. Attendance peaked at 162 cars with 19 of those being first timers.

Even with the summer heat, plenty of enthusiasts still came out to enjoy an evening of great cars and good company at Der Dutchman.

Our good friend, Jeff Shankle, made an appearance after his recent ordeal involving a creek and a zero-turn mower. Fortunately, he’s doing well enough to be back at a cruise-in. Here are some combined photos from Jeff and me. Jeff’s phone suffered some water damage during the accident, so he’ll be getting a new one soon.

American Legion Post #144 Independence Day Car Show:

What started out as your typical C-Town Cruisers Fourth of July car show at the American Legion Canteen Post #144 on South High Street in Columbus turned into quite an event around 1:00 p.m.

Many in attendance heard what sounded like a single firework around 12:45 p.m. At the time, most of us thought little of it. A short time later, Columbus police cruisers began pouring into the area one after another in response to reports of a shooting on South High Street and Cotton Mill Street.

According to Columbus police, officers had responded to a report of a woman being attacked by a man. When officers arrived, the suspect allegedly brandished a firearm and opened fire on officers. Police returned fire before the suspect fled into a nearby wooded area, prompting Columbus police and SWAT officers to establish a secure perimeter around the neighborhood, including the American Legion grounds, while they searched for the armed suspect.

Police later identified the suspect as 41-year-old Michael Magyar, also known as “Machete Mike,” and warned the public that he was considered armed and dangerous. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded to investigate the officer-involved shooting.

As a precaution, the car show ended shortly after 2:30 p.m. so law enforcement could secure the area and continue their search. Needless to say, it made for a Fourth of July car show that most of us in attendance won’t soon forget.

As for the show itself, there were 44 vehicles in attendance. Awards were presented for the Top 50, along with special awards for Best Bike, Most Patriotic, Most Potential/Rat Rod, Best Truck, and Best of Show.

American Legion members once again offered a buffet lunch consisting of hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, pasta salad, and dessert in exchange for a donation to help cover the cost of the meal.

The Best Bike Award went to Silly Willy and his 2005 Honda Shadow 600 Deluxe.

Steve Anderson’s 1995 Chevy G-20 received the Best Truck Award.

Mike Woods’ 1966 Ford F-100 earned the Most Potential/Rat Rod Award.

Kevin Kelly’s 1975 International Harvester loadstar took home the Most Patriotic Award.

Finally, Doug Mullen’s 1934 Ford Model 40 received the Best of Show honors.

continue reading

Published on Leave a comment on Central Ohio Car and Bike Events for June 29 – July 5, 2026
1951 GMC 150 Pickup - Owner: Nick Cochran

We conclude another month of the season this week as America celebrates its 250th Birthday on Saturday. There are no fewer than 14 car shows, cruise-ins, and bike events taking place across Central Ohio on July 4th, so everyone should be able to find something to enjoy while celebrating Independence Day.

Please Note: Shaun “Big Dawg” Sanders of the C-Town Cruisers let me know that the two remaining shows at The Point on Main Sports Bar, scheduled for July 5th and August 2nd, have been canceled.

Monday (June 29th):

  • No Events Found

Tuesday (June 30th):

Wednesday (July 1st):

Thursday (July 2nd):

Friday (July 3rd):

Saturday (July 4th):

Sunday (July 5th):

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:

Attendance started out slowly on Thursday evening due to an initial weather forecast calling for showers around 6:00 p.m. Once it became apparent the rain would hold off, attendance picked up steadily, reaching 234 vehicles by the end of the cruise-in. Approximately 32 of those were Cobras participating in the London Cobra Show.

Here are some of the non-Cobra vehicles that Jeff Shankle and I captured during the evening.

Friday at Barrett-Jackson:

I spent a few hours on Friday at the inaugural Barrett-Jackson auction at the Ohio Expo Center. Billed as “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auction,” the event certainly lived up to its reputation.

There was no shortage of food vendors, exhibitors, and, of course, incredible cars. When you needed a break from looking at the vehicles, Dodge was offering thrill rides in its new gasoline-powered SIXPACK Charger models.

One of the most interesting aspects of the visit was seeing what the cars actually sold for. After each vehicle crossed the auction block, it was moved under one of several large tents where a SOLD sign was placed on the windshield showing the final sale price. Here are a few examples:

  • 1982 Chevy Corvette Custom Coupe - Sold For $17,500
  • 1954 Ford F-100 - Sold For $35,000
  • 1977 Cadillac Eldorado - Sold For $27,000
  • 1973 Chrysler Newport Bluesmobile Re-creation - Sold For $15,000
  • 1953 WILLy's M38A1 Jeep - Sold For $9,500
  • 1958 BMW Isetta 300 - Sold For $25,000
  • 1929 Ford Model A Mail Truck - Sold For $15,000
  • 1977 Chevy Monte Carlo - Sold For $10,500
  • 1963 Chevy Biscayne Custom Coupe - Sold For $27,000
  • 1987 Chevy Silverado 3500 Pickup - Sold For $10,500
  • 1975 Volkswagen Super Bettle Convertible- Sold For $21,000
  • 1979 Buick Regal Custom Coupe - Sold For $10,000

Of course, the main action took place inside the Celeste Center, where the vehicles were auctioned. The large crowd of bidders on the auction floor, combined with the spectators filling the grandstands, made for quite a spectacle. The entire operation ran like a well-oiled machine and was very impressive to watch.

  • Wiping down the cars before going into auction.

Several familiar faces from the Central Ohio car community were involved in the event. Mark and Patty Enyart were selling their 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS, giving me the opportunity to learn how the auction works from a seller’s perspective.

The Meguiar’s booth featured Jim McGruder’s 2020 Chevrolet Corvette.

Members of the Mustang club helped move vehicles through the staging area. Our good friend Phil Spangler was spotted on TV driving one of the auction cars across the block.

Before heading home, I stopped by the Kasich Building, where many of the top-dollar vehicles scheduled for Saturday’s auction were on display. Here are a few of those amazing cars.

It was a fun way to spend a few hours and a great opportunity to experience one of the world’s premier collector car auctions without leaving Central Ohio. Let's hope Barrett-Jackson will make a return visit to Columbus in the future.

CONTINUE READING

Published on Leave a comment on Central Ohio Car and Bike Events for June 8 – 14, 2026
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"

Published on Leave a comment on Central Ohio Car & Bike Events For May 26 – 31, 2026
1955 Willy's CJ-5 Jeep - Owner: Roger Gardner

As we turn the calendar to the final week of May, Central Ohio’s car and motorcycle season is in high gear. The wet Memorial Day weekend may be in the rearview mirror, but there’s no shortage of opportunities to get out and enjoy the hobby.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxed evening cruise-in, a Saturday morning coffee meet, or a full-scale weekend show, there’s something happening every day of the week.

As always, event details can change due to weather or other circumstances, so be sure to check with event organizers before heading out.

Tuesday (May 26th):

Wednesday (May 27th):

Thursday (May 28th):

Friday (May 29th):

Saturday (May 30th):

Sunday (May 31st):

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 cool Thursday evening for the Der Dutchman Cruise-In in Plain City. There was some concern the event might be canceled after two days of steady rain left portions of the field saturated. Fortunately, aside from a few wet spots near the concession stand and pavilion, the grounds were dry enough to accommodate the 264 vehicles that turned out for the weekly gathering. As usual, Wayne had the few muddy areas coned off, keeping cars out of trouble and the field in good shape.

One of the more interesting vehicles on hand was an Aston Martin DBX707 luxury SUV. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, derived from a Mercedes-AMG engine and extensively reworked by Aston Martin, cranks out 697 horsepower and 663 lb-ft of torque. The DBX707 can rocket from 0-60 mph in approximately 3.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 193 mph. That should make it easy for Mom to get the kids to soccer practice and dance lessons on time.

Another interesting vehicle was Dan Howard’s 1940 Plymouth pickup. The truck had belonged to Dan’s grandfather and spent the last 15 years tucked away in a garage. After doing the work necessary to bring it back to life and fitting it with a set of 15-inch wheels, Dan proudly drove the pickup to the cruise-in for its first outing in many years. Perhaps the most unique feature is the bench seat, which is upholstered using material from one of Dan’s old couches—a true example of hot-rodding ingenuity and recycling at its finest.

Mike Hermann spent the winter reworking the battery installation in the trunk of his 1964 Plymouth Belvedere to match the factory configuration exactly as it would have appeared when the car rolled off the assembly line. The attention to detail and craftsmanship involved in the project were truly impressive.

Here are a few more vehicles that were on hand for Thursday evening's cruise-in.

As a side note, VW enthusiasts are hoping to increase Volkswagen participation at the Der Dutchman Cruise-In. Their goal is to encourage owners of VW models to attend on the fourth Thursday of each month throughout the cruise-in season. If you’ve got a Volkswagen sitting in the garage, consider bringing it out and joining the gathering. The plan is for the VWs to park together along the back rows, beginning this Thursday, May 28.

Feast of the Flowering Moon Car Show:

Rain throughout the day Friday and into Saturday morning forced the cancellation of several events and the postponement of two others for the second time. One show that carried on rain or shine was the Feast of the Flowering Moon Car Show in downtown Chillicothe.

Despite the less-than-ideal weather, 42 vehicles registered for the show. Dale Pearce said he managed to avoid rain on both the trip to and from the event, although showers fell for approximately two hours during the show itself. Nine awards were presented, with Dale’s 1967 Corvette Stingray earning the Best Paint Award and a custom paint-can trophy.

Top honors went to Ty Vickers and his 1966 Corvette, which captured the Feast Choice Award.

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Published on
1966 Ford Mustang - Owner: David Rust

This coming weekend marks the first of three summer holiday weekends, with Memorial Day falling on Monday, May 25th. The holiday means a packed schedule of Central Ohio car and bike events, including several Memorial Day shows on Monday itself. Several shows scheduled for this past weekend have been rescheduled for this coming weekend because of weather.

The weather forecast is calling for warmer, more summer-like temperatures, but there’s also a chance of rain nearly every day. Hopefully Mother Nature cooperates a little better than the forecast suggests.

Because of the holiday weekend, next week’s Central Ohio car and bike events list will be posted on Tuesday (May 26th) instead of Monday.

Monday (May 18th):

Tuesday (May 19th):

Wednesday (May 20th):

Thursday (May 21st):

Friday - (May 22nd):

Saturday (May 23rd):

Sunday - (May 24th):

Monday - (May 25th - Memorial 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

Der Dutchman Cruise-In:

It was another chilly evening for the second Der Dutchman Cruise-In of the season. Attendance dipped slightly from opening week, with about 226 vehicles turning out — roughly six fewer than the season opener. Give it another couple of weeks and everyone will probably be complaining that it’s too hot instead.

Here are a few of the rides that braved the 60-degree temperatures on Thursday evening.

The Gregg Crites Octagon House Car Show:

Saturday’s weather forecast led to two shows being postponed, while the morning thunderstorms kept attendance down at the events that did decide to stay with the schedule.

One of those events, the Gregg Crites Octagon House Car Show, drew just five vehicles. After it appeared the rain might continue for several more hours, organizers made the decision to wrap things up early at noon. Everyone who attended received a Top 20 award along with a free tour of the Octagon House.

Aside from the weather, the only other issue was the lack of restroom facilities. Whoops!

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Published on
2019 Audi S3 - Owner: Braxton Hawkinberry

This week’s schedule features a nice mix of weekly cruise-ins, Cars & Coffee gatherings, bike nights, and several larger weekend shows spread across Central Ohio.

The weekend lineup is especially packed, with everything from British Car Day Columbus, PBJ Connections Healing with Horsepower, and the Kreiger All Ford Show to multiple Cars & Coffee events, charity fundraisers, bike gatherings, and community car shows.

As always, event schedules can change due to weather or other last-minute issues, so it’s a good idea to check event pages before heading out.

Monday (May 11th):

  • No Events Found

Tuesday (May 12th):

Wednesday (May 13th):

Thursday (May 14th):

Friday - (May 15th):

Saturday (May 16th):

Sunday - (May 17th):

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:

Jackets and long pants were the required attire for the first Der Dutchman Cruise-In of the season in Plain City. Even with temperatures hovering in the 50s, it didn’t stop 232 cars — including 18 first-timers — from turning out for the season opener.

Wayne looked rested and ready for another fun-packed 2026 season, greeting attendees as the lot quickly filled with everything from classics and muscle cars to modern performance rides and trucks.

As always, the variety of vehicles on display was one of the highlights of the evening.

Carroll Lions Car Show:

With the help of Shaun “Big Dawg” Sanders and the C-Town Cruisers, the Carroll Lions hosted its annual downtown car show on Saturday. Proceeds from the event help support a variety of local Lions community projects.

After a slow start caused by morning rain and wet roads, the show eventually rebounded to register 54 vehicles. Attendees competed for Top 25 awards along with four sponsor trophies, a special auction trophy, and the coveted Best of Show award.

The Lions also sold event t-shirts that included a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of four buckets filled with car care products. The auction trophy drew plenty of interest, with the winning bid eventually reaching $70.

The four Sponsor Trophy winners were:

  • Astrografx: Dave & Jackie Hiles - 1973 Plymouth Duster/Twister
  • Auman Landscape: Mr Jimmy - 1986 Toyoto pickup
  • Carroll Cup Coffee House: Bill Justice - 1986 Porsche 944
  • 1BDCustomz Custom Trophies: Mike Woods -1966 Ford F100

The Best of Show honors went to Bret Ruff and his 1967 Chevy Camaro SS

Here are the rest of the cars that attended the show:

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