WHAT: Cruisin' by the Bay
WHEN: Thurs.-Sun.
WHERE: Downtown Sandusky
COST: free to the public, $15 advance/$20 day of show for car owners
INFO: 419-609-2859 or cruisinbythebay.org

Classic car lovers better be all revved up and ready to go for the 19th annual Cruisin’ by the Bay Car Show, which takes place Sept. 9-12 on the streets of downtown Sandusky. This year’s suped-up event features over 400 cars from classic antiques to hot rods, with more than 25 awards in 20 classes.

“On Friday, the Cruisin’ by the Bay is a classic car cruise, which used to be a popular event back in its heyday where classic cars would cruise up and down Columbus Avenue,” said Cruisin’ by the Bay co-chairman Chris Montgomery. “So this is an opportunity to show off their cars. On Saturday there’s also a cruisin’, but it includes judging of cars and a variety of classes.”

Not only does this North Coast tradition draw in folks from around the Midwest and all the way down to North Carolina, but Montgomery said additional advertising around the Buckeye State has created new interest from the Cleveland and Columbus area. The timing couldn’t be better considering the two-day affair this year has been expanded to four days of classic cars from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s.

“We added a Thursday night swap meet and classic dash at Sandusky Speedway, allowing registrants to basically drive their cars on Sandusky Speedway in kind of a slalom event,” Montgomery said. “And then on Sunday, we’re working with Cedar Point to allow the class winners from Saturday to display their cars on the midway.”
Montgomery said one reason for expanding the event was to bring more attention to sponsor North Coast Cancer Foundation, which serves area cancer patients. The programs and initiatives of the foundation take place within North Coast Cancer Care.

Proceeds from Cruisin’ by the Bay will benefit the non-profit foundation. “There’s a variety of programs the foundation presents to the public, and all the funds and proceeds that are generated from Cruisin’ by the Bay help to support those programs,” said Montgomery, the North Coast Cancer Care marketing director. “So to extend it even farther, what we’re trying to do is generate even more revenue for the foundation.

“Basically, we’re a cancer foundation that serves a five-county area. It helps benefit cancer patients and not just those in North Coast Cancer Care. The foundation puts on things such as yoga therapy, art therapy, nutrition and wellness programs, spiritual care programs and more.”

As for Cruisin’ by the Bay, the fun-filled family event targets diehard car aficionados and casual car lovers. More importantly, there will be food, drinks and prizes for event goers, as well as an important message that Montgomery hopes those males in attendance pay special attention to. 

“Basically we’re spotlighting prostate cancer,” Montgomery said. “And primarily it’s men who show up to these events. So we thought it was good timing considering North Coast Cancer Foundation is supporting the fight against prostate cancer and September is National Prostate Cancer awareness month. So we just thought it was a natural fit and a perfect tie-in.”