Shelby Car Show & Cruise In set to roll into downtown with expanded event
By David Jacobs
The Shelby Car Show & Cruise In is shaping up to be a major Shelby special event that showcases classic cars, downtown Shelby, its businesses and more.
The event runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 21, in downtown Shelby along a stretch of Main Street as part of an event that represents an expansion to include motorcycles and more. It also includes both a cruise and a separate parade.
“The cars will be parked parallel with the road along the sides,” said Steve Fellows, Shelby car show president. “That way, we can keep the center of the road open for cruising.”
In downtown Shelby, Main Street will be closed from the railroad tracks at the Duke station to the light at Gamble Street between car show hours to accommodate both cruising cars and parked displays.
“This year, anticipate around 100 cars — up from about 70 last year,” Fellows said. "This year, we're doing any cars, any year, any motorcycles."
The event will feature both parked displays and a continuous “cruise” loop for participants who prefer to showcase their vehicles on the move.
Fellows described the cruising route with an eastbound starting point, for example, at the old Main Street fire station area.
"They're going to go up Main Street," he said. "They're going to do a U-turn at the railroad tracks. They're not going to go past the tracks. They're just going to do a U-turn, and they're going to head back west. They're going to turn north onto Washington Street, and then they're going to turn west up the alley behind the vault, and then they'll turn south on Water Street and back to Main."
A separate police-escorted parade is to take place at 2 p.m., Saturday, lining up at the stop sign on Washington Street at Whitney Avenue. The parade, featuring old cars and any motorcycles that wish to join, will pass by local nursing homes, continuing a tradition of bringing the show directly to residents.
The cruise extends during the entire 1 p.m.-4 p.m. event.
Motorcycles will be displayed along the side of Main Street near the Shelby Eagles club, extending to the High School Avenue area. Overflow parking for classic cars will be available at the Shelby municipal lot behind City Hall.
In addition to vehicles, the day will include a craft fair, vendor booths, food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, Hot Wheels racing, putt-putt mini-golf, and even a dunk tank -- all centered around Black Fork Commons, including its pavilion and nearby grassy area.
Karate demonstrations will take place at the amphitheater.
All activities, Fellows said, are part of the car show.
Registration for participants remains open and can be completed upon arrival in front of the old historic fire station along Main Street.
Downtown Shelby businesses will remain open throughout the event, something organizers hoped would encourage attendees to explore local shops.
“Come on in and shop," Fellows said.
"That’s why we wanted it downtown this year,” he said of the Main Street venue. “It gives people the ability to walk closer to the stores and things like that.”
Major sponsors for the Shelby Car Show & Cruise In include Shelby Mutual Insurance (Justin Armantrout), Charlie’s Body Shop, Weiss Industries of Mansfield, Dove Candle Bar, and ArcelorMittal -- with numerous other smaller sponsors joining them.
Fellows is excited about this year's expanded event.
"We’re trying a lot this year to see what it turns into," he said. "And I hope next year’s even bigger.”
AT A GLANCE
-- Timeline of 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 21 events. See it here.
-- Cruise route details and map. Click here
-- Motorcycle parking "Shelby Car Show & Cruise In will have reserved parking for motorcycles in front of the Eagles down to High School Ave.," per Dove Candle Bar post
-- List of special features such as free kids events at the Shelby Car Show & Cruise In: face painting, bouncy houses, food trucks, karate demonstrations, Hot Wheels car races, putt-putt, dunk tank, and more, per event and community leaders.
-- More details on the registration location in front of the old firehouse are here (see comments too)
-- Shelby's Connie Roub recently announced that a craft/vendor show is planned from 1 p.m.–4 p.m. during the Shelby cruise on Saturday, June 21, under the pavilion at Black Fork Commons, right near the car show. Anyone interested can contact Roub. The Shelby Farmers’ Market kicks off the day from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 21, at Black Fork Commons in downtown.
CLICK ON PHOTO for more details of the Shelby Car Show & Cruise In special event.
Reporter David Jacobs can be reached at davidjacobs@shelbynewsreporter.com