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Published on Leave a comment on Central Ohio Car and Bike Events for July 20 – 26, 2026
1985 ASC McLaren Meet Capri - Owner: Rusty Gregg

Along with the usual weekday cruise-ins and bike nights, this weekend is absolutely packed with car shows, cruise-ins, and motorcycle events across Central Ohio. Highlights include the 46th Annual Poor Man’s Nationals on Sunday, along with Heels and Wheels, Battle of the Brands, and the Blackwing Summer Blast on Saturday, to name just a few. Whether you’re into classics, muscle cars, exotics, motorcycles, or modern performance vehicles, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the hobby all week long.

Monday (July 20th):

Tuesday (July 21st):

Wednesday (July 22nd):

Thursday (July 23rd):

Friday (July 24th):

Saturday (July 25th):

Sunday (July 26th):

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

The big news this week was the cancellation of ALL Friday activities at the Arthritis Foundation Charity Auto Show in Dublin due to an air quality alert from the Canadian wildfires, combined with a dangerously high heat index. I never imagined smoke from wildfires in Canada would be the reason a car show in Central Ohio had to be canceled. Unfortunately, the Arthritis Foundation Charity Auto Show wasn’t alone, as several other events across Central Ohio were also called off.

Der Dutchman Cruise-In:

It was hot Thursday evening. How hot was it, you ask? It was so hot that in the 14 years I’ve been attending the Der Dutchman Cruise-In, Thursday was the first time I’d ever seen Wayne trade his trademark jeans and boots for shorts and tennis shoes.

Still, 182 vehicles ignored the sweltering conditions to attend the cruise-in—a testament to just how popular the Thursday night event has become. Not surprisingly, the parking spots beneath the trees along SR-42 were some of the most coveted real estate of the evening.

Here are some of the HOT cars—literally—from Thursday’s cruise-in.

Columbus Cars & Coffee at 3 Easton Oval:

The corporate version of Columbus Cars & Coffee continued its Season 18 schedule on Saturday at 3 Easton Oval in Columbus.

The event drew more than 130 vehicles during the two-hour gathering, with attendance down slightly, likely due to the number of other automotive events taking place around Central Ohio that day. Despite the lower turnout, spectator attendance was as strong as ever.

A DJ kept the music playing while Good Cafe Easton was on hand serving coffee and breakfast pastries. As always, the event had a distinctly European flavor, with Porsches, Ferraris, Audis, and a host of Japanese manufacturers making up the bulk of the vehicles in attendance. Fewer than a handful of classic American cars were on display.

My favorite car was the blacked out McLaren equipped with a child safety seat—proof that even exotic car owners have family duties.

Here’s a video slideshow highlighting many of the cars from the morning.

Plumwood C.C.CU. Car Show:

The Plumwood C.C.C.U. (Church of Christ in Christian Union) hosted its 17th Annual Car Show in memory of Charles Brewer in London, Ohio, on Saturday. This year’s show drew 37 vehicles. Like pretty much every Central Ohio car show on Saturday, participants experienced at least a little rain.

Tom and Betty Lawrence were there with their 2008 Volkswagen Beetle and took home the People’s Choice Award.

Here are the photos Tom took at the show.

CONTINUE READING

Published on
1937 Studebaker Coupe Express Pickup - Owner: Kurt Finton

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NEWS AND NOTES

Ten shows from this past week are covered in this week's News and Notes. I spent a good bit of my weekend on Rt 33 between Columbus and Marysville.

Verena at Hilliard Celebrating America Event and Car Show:

The Verena at Hilliard 55+ Independent Senior Living Community held its Celebrating American Event and Invitational Car Show on Thursday.

Live entertainment was provided by the band Driving Guitars.

Along with providing dinner for everyone who participated in the car show, the Verena at Hilliard presented trophies for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place cars as voted on by the residents.

3rd Place went to Steve Elam with his 2016 Chevy Colorado pickup and 1945 James military motorcycle.

The 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang of Tom Obert received the 2nd Place award.

For the second year in a row, Dale Pearce and his 1950 Chevy 3100 pickup received the most votes. Some car owners have privately complained that the walker Dale places next to his truck gives him an unfair advantage regarding voting. 🤣

Arthritis Foundation 41st Charity Auto Show:

The big event this past weekend was the Arthritis Foundation 41st Charity Auto Show at the Metro Place in Dublin, Ohio.

The Friday open cruise-in registered 377 vehicles.

The evening's "live" music was provided by the band British Invasion.

At the end of the evening, six-foot trophies were presented to the Top 100 cars and trucks.

I was able to get photos of most of the Central Ohio cruisers who received one of the six-footers.

TIM RAINES
1951 Ford F1 Pickup
RUSS ANNIS
1967 Chevy Chevelle SS
PETE LIEB
1962 Chevy (409) Bel Air
DOUG GLASSBURN
1972 Chevy C-10 Stepside Pickup
STEVE KIDWELL
1954 Chevy Corvette
DEAN MAISENBACHER
1953 Chevy 3100 Pickup
MIKE MATHEWS
1947 Ford Special Deluxe
BILL RENO
1957 Chevy Stepside Pickup
DAN VARNER
1991 Chevy Camaro Z/28 1LE
JEFF FORTNER
1971 Buick GSX
"BAD" CHAD HERRICK
2018 Dodge Charger Daytona 392
DALE PEARCE
1950 Chevy 3100 Pickup
FRANK DEERING
1978 Chevy Corvette Indy Pace Car
MIKE HERMANN
1964 Plymouth Belvedere
ROBIN WAHLENMAIER
1971 Chevy Chevelle
ARCH MAYER
1997 Ford Cobra

Not pictured:

  • Kevin Martin - 1962 Chevy Pickup
  • Andrew Van Ert -1968 Chevy Chevelle
  • Charlie Seymour - 1967 Chevy Nova SS
  • David Erickson - 1969 Plymouth Sport Fury & 1939 Plymouth P8 Coupe

If I missed anyone please let me know.

The class-judged show on Saturday had around 700 cars in attendance.

Here are some of the 1100 cars from both days of the show.

Robin Wahlenmaier had the little model car of her Chevelle she displays on the front of her car taken at the Arthritis show on Friday. The car has significant sentimental value. If anyone's child picked this car up please return it to Robin. You can reach her on Facebook. She will not ask any questions. She just wants it back.

Cruisin with the King in 2024:

The Mid Ohio Cruisers Car Club held its July show at Burger King in Marysville, Ohio on Saturday evening.

This month the club registered 45 vehicles.

The club presented award plaques to its "Favorite 15" from the vehicles that registered.

Here are this month's "Favorites":

2007 Mazda Miata - Owner: Dean Lundgren
2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing - Owner: K. Hawksworth
1973 Chevy Nova SS - Owner: Tim Hooten
1979 Honda Civic - Owner: Chris Poland
1947 Dodge Pickup - Owner: Jerry Covert
1971 Dodge Challenger Covertible - Owners: Mike & Terri Rees
1956 Mercury Medalist - Owner: Marvin Salyer
1966 Chevy C-10 Pickup - Owner: John Scheiderer
2009 Dodge Challenger R/T - Owner: John Holland
1964 Chevy Impala SS - Owner: Scott Haring
1984 Chevy El Camino SS - Owner: Brenda Collins
1967 Pontiac GTO- Owner: Donald Myers
1992 Chevy Pickup - Owner: Matt Reed
1965 VW Dune Buggy - Owner: Bill Hudson
1957 Ford Fairlane 500 - Owner: Chet Rowland

The Mid Ohio Cruisers will be back at Burger King for the August show on August 17th.

Groovy's Cruise-In/Car Show:

Groovy's Plant Ranch in Marengo, Ohio hosted a cruise-in/car show on Saturday. There were 83 cars in attendance.

There was no registration fee to participate in the cruise-in/car show. Groovy's gave out awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place vehicles. First place received a $200 gift card to Groovy's Plant Ranch.

Here are the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners:

3RD PLACE - Volkswagon Bus
2ND PLACE - 1936 Ford
1ST PLACE - 1970 Plymouth Superbird - Owner: Ken Taylor & Family
CONTINUE READING THE REST OF NEWS & NOTES

Published on
1968 Ford Torino GT Convertible Indy Pace Car - Owner: Phil Chmelovsky

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NEWS AND NOTES

Der Dutchman Cruise-In:

After a week's hiatus because of standing water in the field from heavy rains, the weekly cruise-in returned on Thursday with 206 cars in attendance.

Creative Automotive/Advanced Auto Parts Car Show:

Creative Automotive and the Advanced Auto Parts store in Marysville, Ohio hosted their July car show on Friday.

The show had 26 cars in attendance and raised $110 for the local food pantries.

The big hit of the evening was the little dog that stood guard over its owner's motorcycle while he looked at the cars. It rode on the bike between the handlebars and windshield.

The store manager's three picks this month were Scott Haring's 1964 Chevy Impala SS, Hunter Collier's 1990 Chevy S10 pickup, and Mel DeJarnette's 1950 Ford F1 panel truck.

Auto Smarts Radio Cruise and Ride at Ten Pin Alley:

Dan "Boots" Longenette and the Auto Smarts Cruise and Ride team hosted the first of two car shows at Ten Pin Alley in Hilliard, Ohio.

Approximately 60 cars attended the show on Friday evening.

The Best of Show award went to Wesley Bach with a 1952 Chevy Pickup. Wesley is the Grandson of the Late Cal Rowland who passed away in April. Wesley inherited his Grandfather's 1952 Chevy and 1987 GMC Pickups and has begun taking them to shows this summer.

Here are some of the other cars from the show photographed from a different perspective by Dave Bratton's daughter, Kelly.

Cruise-In with the King Car Show:

The Mid Ohio Cruisers Car Club hosted its July car show Saturday evening at the Burger King off State Rt 31 in Marysville, Ohio.

Scattered showers around the area for much of the afternoon and evening kept attendance down. The club registered 20 cars with probably another 10 showing up that didn't register.

Each month the club presents award plaques to its "Favorite 15" that register.

Here are this month's "Favorites".

1999 Chevy Corvette
Owners: Amelia & Morgan Schoene
1948 Chevy Coupe
Owner: Rex Dillon
1950 Ford F1 Pickup
Owner: Ron Griffith
1970 Chevy Nova
Owner: Tim Bosley
1986 Chevy C10 Pickup
Owner: Jeff Shankle
2016 Chevy Camaro SS
Owner: Tim Inscho
2017 Chevy Camaro ZL1
Owner: Kim Hawksworth
1957 Ford Fairlane 500
Owner: Chet Rowland
2002 Chevy Corvette
Owner: Mick Proxmire
1982 Plymouth Grand Fury
Owner: Marty Ruiz
1950 Ford Toudor Sedan
Owner: Jimmy Carmean
1939 Chevy Master 85
Owner: Jim Shaw
1967 Chevy C10 Pickup
Owner: Mike Carmean
2007 Chevy Trailblazer SS
Owner: Dave Lamb
1950 Ford F2
Owner: Rick Jones

Picktown Palooza Car, Truck, and Bike Show:

Jeff Duncan and his 1970 Chevy Nova received the Best of Show honors at the Picktown Palooza Car, Truck, and Bike Show in Pickerington, Ohio on Saturday afternoon.

Jeff is from the Marion, Ohio area. On his way home from the Picktown show, he stopped by the Burger King in Marysville. As any GOOD reporter would do, I took the opportunity to take a photo of Jeff, his car, and the Best of Show trophy.

The wet afternoon forecast didn't deter 50 cars from attending the Picktown Palooza show.

Lancaster Car Scene (LCS) Car Show:

Outerbelt Brewing in Carroll, Ohio was the scene of the Lancaster Car Scene (LCS) show on Sunday.

The show registered 56 cars. Awards were presented to the "Top 30" along with Ladies Choice, Best Truck, Best Import, Best Muscle, Best Motorcycle, Top Club, and of course, Best of Show.

These were the "Best of" winners:

BEST TRUCK
1959 Chevy Apache
Owners: Jason & Deb Blankenship
LADIES CHOICE
1948 Ford Coupe
Owner: Mike McVey
BEST IMPORT
2012 McLaren 12S
Owners: Wyatt & Maty May
BEST MOTORCYCLE
2022 Harley Davidson Street Glide
BEST MUSCLE
1957 Chevy Gasser
Owner: Jeff Tolley

Jason and Deb Blankenship's 1959 Chevy Apache also received the Best Truck award at Picktown Palooza on Saturday.

The Top Club award went to the Hi-Way Starz.

John Picken's 1931 Ford Roadster took home the Best of Show award.

Choctaw Lake Car Show:

The biggest event on Sunday was the first annual Choctaw Lake Car Show in London, Ohio.

The show was organized by the Sheriff deputies of the Madison County Sheriff's Office.

With the lake as background, the show registered 167 vehicles.

Food and refreshments were provided by 5-6 food trucks which included one from Schmidt's Sausage Haus.

The show presented 12 awards. The two biggest were Best of Show and the William "Bill" Wolfe Memorial Award.

The Best of Show award went to Gary Vance with a 1933 Ford Victoria. Dave Bratton's 1937 Wild Rod Convertible received the William "Bill" Wolfe Award.

Here are some more cars and scenes from the show:

Other Area Shows:

  • The Plumbwood Church of Christ in London, Ohio hosted its annual car show on Saturday. There were approximately 20 cars in attendance. There was a rare sighting of Jimmy Carmean wiping off his car. It paid off as Jimmy's car received the Pastor's Choice Award.

  • The OP Bar and Grill in Marysville, Ohio hosted its first annual Cruise-In on Sunday. There were 31 cars in attendance. The top three winners received gift cards to the bar and grill. The top gift card went to Tim Inscho and his 1968 Chevy Camaro.

  • The first annual Bob Helsel Car Show took place on Sunday at the Buckeye Lake Moose 2434 Lodge in Thornport, Ohio. The show registered 94 cars. Judging was by People's Choice.
  • The Miami Valley Steam Threshers were at Pastime Park in Plain City, Ohio for its Vintage Truck & Car Show. The show had an excellent turnout. The tractor and truck pulls looked like a lot of fun.

Whew! There was a lot to report on this week even with the rain on Saturday.

Here are the folks who helped put together this week's News and Notes:

  • Jeff Shankle
  • Dave Bratton
  • Kelly Bratton
  • Tim Inscho
  • Dale Pearce

I hope everyone has a good week! I'll see you next week with a new report.

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