Downtown Elizabethton proves to be a hub for car enthusiasts throughout the area and this weekend will showcase the grandest event of the year.
An event that spans over 30 years, the Carter County Car Club will host their annual one day only car and motorcycle show downtown Saturday with festivities getting underway at 9 a.m.
“Last year, I would say we had well over 1,000 spectators that stopped by,” Bob Livingston, Carter County Car Club president, said. “We had around 300 cars and we’re expecting that, if not more, this weekend.”
Preregistration already passed for the event but individuals wanting to take part in the show are encouraged show up near 9 a.m. to register. The fee to be showcased at the event is $20.
“With registration, we always have people that come in the last minute,” Livingston said. “That’s what we always expect. People aren’t sure of the weather forecast and wait until the day of. That’s perfectly fine with us. We just encourage people to get to the show as early as possible.”
Saturday will see 100 sponsors provide awards to various cars at the show, Livingston said. Along with the sponsorship awards, accolades will be given to the longest distance and club with the most participants.
The Carter County Car Club has been one of the key cogs of driving foot traffic through the downtown with the regularly scheduled cruise-ins that occur each weekend through the summer into the fall.
Even with the normal headcount expected for the cruise-in, Livingston added that Saturday’s all-day car show will be a vital item for downtown merchants.
“We’ll have a couple of food vendors available at the show,” he said. “But each of our downtown restaurants will be open. Everybody has the chance to walk through downtown and see what Elizabethton has to offer.”
Ron McCloud, with Antiques on Elk, is an avid member of the club and participates in each of the events. Reminiscing on the days before, when the car show used to be held at the high school track in Elizabethton, McCloud added the event is an important tool for the city, and has been over the years.
“It’s always been enjoyable for me,” McCloud said. “To see that type of enthusiasm from people that come in. It’s really something to enjoy. This is a great event for the city to host all the people that come away from the area.”
The event will also look to be an important bump for downtown merchants compared to Saturday night cruise-ins, McCloud said.
“Historically, it has been a great time for our businesses downtown,” McCloud said. “It’s a good opportunity for people to stop by our businesses since they’re normally closed Saturday evenings.”
With the event just a day away, Livingston said he expects attendees to get their full fix of automobiles and camaraderie with ongoers.
“Everybody should expect to see a lot of older model cars,” he added. “It’s a perfect time for people to come out and enjoy time with each other.”
The all-day show lasts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the regularly scheduled cruise-in set to cap off the night, ending at 9 p.m.
For more information on the event, visit CarterCountyCarClubTn.com or visit the group’s Facebook page.