The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Fasten your seat belts for Aug. 14 return of annual Mentor Cruise-In car show
Event will feature vintage cars, food vendors and live entertainment
The annual Mentor Cruise-In event will return to the Mentor Civic Center Complex, 8500 Civic Center Blvd., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 14.
Cruise-In attendees will get to see a wide variety of classic cars and trucks and live entertainment, and choose from an assortment of food trucks.
The yearly event typically attracts over 800 vehicles and 2,500 spectators.
“The Cruise-In is in its 19th year and has grown to become a staple event in the City of Mentor,” said Nick Standering, manager of Wildwood Cultural Center. “Held on the second Saturday of August, the Cruise-In draws cruisers as far as Pennsylvania.”
Admission and parking will be free. No alcohol, dogs or bicycles will be permitted at the event.
Car owners interested in showing off their classic vehicles are not required to register in advance. Car registration begins on the day of the event at 8 a.m., no vehicles are allowed on site prior to that point.
The first 250 classic car owners to register will receive a goody bag and dash plaque along with a free ticket for door prizes.
Fans of modern vehicles will not be disappointed either, Standering said.
“Over the years we have changed the format from allowing pre-1990 cars to opening it up to all years,” he said. “For example you may see a 2021 Camaro parked next to a 1969 Camaro, and people enjoy seeing both the classic and modern muscle cars together.”
Standering said the event will also feature some local bands highlighting classic tunes to go along with the theme.
“In addition to the endless vintage cars, we have free entertainment playing at the Mentor Amphitheater. The PopTarts (’60s girl group tribute band) will be performing 10 to 11 a.m. and The Geeze Cats (’50s and ’60s tribute band) will take the stage from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. WIXY1260 online will be doing a live remote from 1 to 4 p.m. to close out the Cruise-In. There will be plenty of food vendors to satisfy all appetites.”