Swap Meet and Car Show back for the 36th year this weekend at the Fairgrounds

COLDWATER — Sunshine would be the best addition for this weekend’s 36th annual Coldwater Swap Meet and Car Show chairman James Brooks said.

Brooks and dozens of volunteers welcome car enthusiasts from around the region to the Branch County Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday to see and show off all sorts of motorized vehicles.

Mother’s Day is the weekend most cars garaged for the winter are brought out. “I think we’ll have a good turnout,” Brooks said. “If the weather holds out.”

The show stars are the restored classic and vintage cars and trucks, motorcycles, and unusual hot rods driven in by the owners to show off.

As one of the first car shows of the season, drivers come from all over the region.

Locals show off their progress working on street rods and classic cars during the winter.

The big event for the community is The Cruise as over a hundred cars drive through downtown and around Coldwater on Saturday, beginning at 4 p.m.

People line the streets to wave as cars hook.

The gate fee is $5, but drivers of show vehicles and a passenger get in free. Kids under 12 are free.

Gates open Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m.

The Blessing of the Bikes will be held on Saturday at noon. A Muffler Rap and Open Header Contest shows off the loudness of vehicles at 1 p.m. on Saturday

On Sunday the group will hold a children’s bike parade and giveaway at 1:00 p.m. The weekend ends Sunday at 2 p.m. with the Grand Prize drawing.

Toothpick the Clown will hold a children’s show from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday in the Children’s area.

Craft vendors set up with fair food concessions around the midway area.

People bring items to sell or swap, often looking for rare pieces to complete a restoration or add to their street rods or motorcycles.

The show has grown since COVID-19. There were just under 900 cars in 2022, but 1,007 registered last year.

Nearly 3,000 spectators came.

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All proceeds from the non-profit 501(C)3 organization go to local charities, more than $15,000 distributed after the 2023 show.

Brooks said more volunteers are always welcome.

---Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Swap Meet and Car Show 36th year this weekend at the Fairgrounds