Real Wheels: Your guide to Lima area car shows

Seldom does a week go by in the Lima region when there is not a car show or cruise-in. The first show of the year begins today in Cridersville when the village fire department puts on its Jeep Invasion.

The Lima News is again publishing a listing of car shows and cruise-ins on its Driver’s Seat page. Clip it out and save it. To get your show included in the weekly listing, send information to [email protected]

Saturday, April 26: The Cridersville Fire Department Food Truck Festival and Jeep Invasion will be held from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., in downtown Cridersville. Register your Jeep the day of show. Awards will be given to best Jeeps in several categories. Event includes food trucks and entertainment. For more information, contact Cridersville Police Chief Rick Miller, 419-645-5001

Every Wednesday in May through September: Happy Daz Cool Car Cruise-In, 5-8 p.m., Happy Daz, 802 S. Cable Road, Lima. Free. Check out Facebook page Happy Daz Cool Car Cruise-In if weather is an issue. Contact Chris Schimpf, 419-230-4505.

Every Friday, starting May 16: Buckeye Cruisers, 5 to 8 p.m., Buffalo Wild Wings, 2948 Allentown Road, Lima. Open to the public and free, though monetary and nonperishable food donations are welcome. Door prizes, 50/50 drawing and food. Benefits Veterans Food Pantry and Debs Dogs. Contact: John Gross, 567-712-1804 or [email protected].

Saturday, June 7: The Fifth annual Vintage Chevrolet Club of America and Lima Auto Mall car show will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. across from the Lima Auto Mall, 2200 North Cable Road. Dash plaques for the first 250 registered. Open to all makes and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles. Special awards. Activities for children. Door prizes, 50/50 and raffle prizes, food trucks. A major portion of proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity. Contact Dan Groman (419) 231-3710 or [email protected].

Saturday, June 7: The 13th annual Cairo 696 Custom Car Show, 2:30-6 p.m. Registration 2 to 4:30 p.m., Main Street, Cairo. Registration $15. Door prizes, trophies, food and drink, 50/50 drawing. Proceeds and donations to benefit local charities. Contact Rick Davis, 419-236-4297.

Friday, June 13: The 56th annual Bluffton Lions Club Festival of Wheels, 2 to 8 p.m. in downtown Bluffton. Registration 2 to 5 p.m., downtown Bluffton. Registration $12 day of show. Pre-registration $10 by May 31 to Bluffton Lions Foundation, P.O. Box 223, Bluffton, Ohio 45817. Include the make and model of vehicle. Judging 5 to 6:30 p.m. Trophy awards at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds support Bluffton, Pandora-Gilboa and Cory Rawson scholarships for high school seniors and charity work of Bluffton Lions Club. Contact Dan Groman, [email protected] or 419-231-3710.

Friday, June 13: Rockford Car Show and Cruise-In. Registration 4 to 7 p.m. Live music. Awards ceremony 7:30 p.m. For more information contact Dennis Hecht at 419-852-9818.

Sunday, June 29: Charity Car Show, noon to 4 p.m., registration 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Apollo Joint Vocational School, 3325 Shawnee Road, Lima. Registration $10 per car. No pre-registration. Open to all cars and trucks. Raffles, 50/50 drawing, concessions, door prizes, trophies. All proceeds go to charity. Contact John Waller, 419-999-5878.

Friday, July 4: Veterans Appreciation Cruise-In at Farout Park, 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Need not be a veteran to participate. Registration begins at 11 a.m. Awards at 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Donations accepted for Veterans Food Bank. For information, contact Bob Layman, 419-235-8153; Rod McGuire, 517-214-0975; Andy Travolta, 419- 371-9068 or Scott Sevitz-3G Customs, 567-940-9495.

Friday and Saturday, July 11-12: Cridersville Volunteer Fire Department Jamboree car show. Two day event features car show on Friday. Registration that day. Awards given to cars in several categories. Food trucks, vendors, entertainment.

Friday, Aug. 1: The Tom Ahl Family of Dealerships, 617 King Ave, Lima. Show is 5-8 p.m., Registration $10, begins at 4 p.m. It is open to all vehicles and cycles. More than 30 trophies awarded. Proceeds go to Family Promise. For more information, call Jennifer at 419-296-7625.

Saturday, Aug. 16: Fort Fest Car Show, Fort Jennings. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in downtown Fort Jennings. $10 entry fee. Registration 10 a.m.-11 a.m. First 150 cars to register get dash plaques. Awards at 3:15 p.m. Among awards: Best Engine, Best Paint, People’s Choice, Best Show.

Saturday, Aug. 23: Allen County Fair Car Show. 1 to 4 p.m. Roschman Park. $25 entry fee includes two tickets to the Allen County Fair plus car entry.

Saturday, Sept. 6: Pioneer Days Car Show, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in downtown Kalida. Registration 10 a.m.-noon. No pre-registration. Judging 12:30 p.m. Awards 4 p.m. Approximately 300 cars in 30 classes with all judging done by the participants. Awards go to top three in each class. Classes include street rods, customs, antiques, stocks, trucks, motorcycles and specialty vehicles as well as best paint, best interior, best engine, best Ford, best General Motors, best Chrysler and best of show. Food and beverages available. Contact Mike Rigsby, 419-236-1341.

Sunday, Sept. 13: The 12th annual King Car and Motorcycle Show. Noon to 5 p.m., Faurot Park pavilion. Registration $20, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Awards and entertainment: Elvis impersonator. Benefits Salvation Army. More information: Richie Crouse 419-233-1867

Saturday, Oct. 4: Cairo 696 Customs Halloween Trick or Treat Car Show, 2:30 to 6 p.m., registration 2 to 4:30 p.m. Main Street, Cairo. Featuring burn-out contest to end show. No charge, but donations accepted for local charities. Contact: Rick Davis, 419-236-4297.

GET YOUR CAR FEATURED

The Lima News publishes photographs of vintage cars, 20 years or older, free of charge in Real Wheels. It is easy to get your car featured:

• Mail: Real Wheels, Newsroom, The Lima News; 205 W. Market St., Suite #100B; Lima, OH 45801.

• Email: [email protected]

• Include: Photograph of your car; year of car, make and model; how many years you have owned the vehicle; car’s history; best memory of car; your name, address and telephone number (the phone number will not be published).

If you have further questions, contact The Lima News newsroom at 419-222-6397 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.

ONLY ON LIMAOHIO.COM

Check out cars we’ve featured and discuss your memories on the Real Wheels page at LimaOhio.com/tag/realwheels.