10 Car Shows Not to Miss

By: Betsy Reason

If you love car shows, then this column is for you.

Today, I share 10 upcoming car shows not to miss, some new and some returning.

1. Vintage, antique and custom cars, trucks, bikes and tanks are welcome at Noblesville NAPA’s inaugural Car Show 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the NAPA parking lot at 3501 Conner St., Noblesville, with $10 entry fee for vehicles, and free to spectators, with room for pop-up canopies with show on the grass. Show partner is Fast Lane Auto Mentoring, a non profit based in Noblesville committed to empowering young people through hands-on experiences, mentorships and practical skills development with the automotive and trades industry.
2. Central Indiana Vintage Vehicles invites car buffs to show off their vintage vehicles on the Hamilton County Courthouse Square during the weekly Saturday night Cruise-in, every Saturday starting at about 4:30 p.m. Lawn chairs and old-car conversations are invited. The cruise-in is more than 35 years running. This group annually organizes the Father’s Day Car Show in Forest Park. 
3. The 2024 Indiana State Fair’s Last Blast Open Car Show, sponsored by the Original Circle City Corvette Club, will be at 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday on Main Street during the last day of the Indiana State Fair. The show is open to the first 100 vehicles registered with the club, with State Fair blue ribbons awarded to the Top 25 vote receivers along with a Grand Champion. Registration is 8-9:30 a.m. ($20), judging 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; awards at 3 p.m. and roll out at 4 p.m., only Indiana-owned vehicles are eligible to enter. Spectators welcome. 
4. The 14th annual Lucky Teter Rebel Run Car & Vintage Motorcycle Show is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 31 at Forest Park in Noblesville. This open show is for all cars and vintage motorcycles. The show is on the grass with lots of shade and is in honor of the late Noblesville resident Earl “Lucky” Teter, who with his Hell Drivers were nationally known daredevils from the 1930s and early 1940s. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with awards at 3 p.m., a $10 entry fee with dash plaques to the first 200 entries. Deejay will rock with classic oldies and rockabilly music. Food available from Ginger’s Cafe. Sponsored by Noblesville Masonic Lodge with proceeds to benefit the Noblesville Masonic Angel Fund. Lucky Teter Rebel Run T-shirts available.
5. The Cruise Indy Car Show and Car Cruise is Saturday at three locations: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 13325 N. Meridian St., Carmel, Crossroads Corvettes registered cars on display, Folds of Honor merchandise, Gary Dausch Automotive Fine Art, Now & Forever photo items, Carol’s Corn, face painting 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Folds of Honor at 11 a.m. with National Anthem and flyover, deejay, School of Rock in Zionsville at 9:30 a.m. and noon, School of Rock in Fishers at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., Just Love Coffee Cafe, Chef Dan’s, RMY’s Soul Food, Foodie Gang, Kona Ice and The Garnacha Spot;  9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Meridian Mark I and II, 11611 N. Meridian St., with Mustang Club of Indianapolis, Vintage Thunderbird Club of Indiana and Classic Car Club of America, music, Bub’s Burgers and Frank’s Franks, plus Cruise Indy merchandise; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the American Legion, 852 W.  Main St., Carmel, with Cruise Indy merchandise, face painting 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Indy Hi-Winders, Fishers Driven and Central Boyz with Tyler Poe and the Volunteer Railroad Band and food by American Legion. Register if want vehicle judged at cruiseindy.com, otherwise just show up and park in the “show only” zone. Fundraiser for Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that provides educational scholarships to spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
6. The 33rd annual Red Bridge Park (Labor Day) Car Show is 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 2 at Red Bridge Park, 697 West Jackson St., in Cicero, an event by Cicero Friends of the Park. This open show is for all makes and years, including motorcycles and rat rods. Top 30 awards as picked by judges and sponsors. A $15 registration day of show, with proceeds to benefit Cicero Parks. Plenty of parking. Dash plaques to the first 100 entries. Craft show. Food onsite has featured breakfast donuts, coffee and biscuits and gravy, lunch of pork chops, hot dogs, brats and more.
7. Antique car owners and aficionados are invited to Noblesville Jim Dandy Restaurant’s First Friday Cruise-in from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 6 at the eatery, featuring a deejay playing classics. 
8. Join the Veloce Hangar Party with an unmatched collection of wings and wheels at 7 p.m. Sept. 6 in the world-class Jet Access Center at Indianapolis Executive Airport in Zionsville and is the largest, premium automotive- and aircraft-focused hangar party in Indy. The party will host more than 500 guests and showcase 50 collector hypercars and supercars, private aircraft, exceptional motorcycles and more.
9. Artmobilia, in its 17th year, is 11 a.m. Sept. 7 in downtown Carmel and features a distinct gathering of recognized artists, 500 enthusiast and collector cars showcased on the streets of the Carmel Arts & Design District. The show boasts one of the most eclectic gatherings of original, period-correct cars, including Supercar, exotic, sports car, classic, racers, historically preserved and more. Register or join mailing list at artomobilia.org.
10. Lotus-Palooza, presented by Gator Motorsport, is at 11 a.m. Sept. 7 in the MidTown along Monon Boulevard; and the BMW-Palooza and the Mercedes Benz Club of America Concours, is 11 a.m. Sept. 7 in the Carmel Arts & Design District.

-Betsy Reason writes about people, places and things in Hamilton County. Contact The Times Editor Betsy Reason at [email protected].