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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

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".

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:

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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