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Cruise-in events bring classic cars, promise fireworks

The first of six planned car shows is today at Germantown Road business.

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By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer Updated 10:59 AM Monday, June 15, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — A new car cruise-in promises not only to bring the cruising scene back to Middletown, but to bring back Fourth of July fireworks as well.

The Middletown Showdown cruise-in event at Street Lethal Motorsports, 6249 Germantown Road, from 3 p.m. to midnight today, June 6, will showcase more than 500 cars, ranging from Camaros to Corvettes to Lotuses to Mustangs. KITT from the 1980s hit television show “Knight Rider” also will wheel into the cruise-in.

“We’re trying to recreate the ’50s cruise-in scene. Here in Southwest Ohio, we are the home of cars,” said Jeff Pringle, who handles sales for Street Lethal Motorsports.

However, he said, “We’ve found that with the new climate of drag racing, things have changed. There’s no place to just kick back with your car.”

The Middletown Showdown aims to change that. In addition to the cars, all the events feature live music, children’s activities, food vendors, truck pulls and a burn-out pit, with trophies supplied by GM One Day Rubberstamp and Engraving from Hamilton.

Today’s event will feature the Josh Pilot Band and Nashville recording star Mean Mary.

The cruise-in slated for the Fourth of July, billed as “the big one!” on its event fliers, will feature something else that hasn’t appeared in Middletown for quite some time: fireworks.

Pringle said the business is securing permits for the fireworks, which will be shot from behind Street Lethal Motorsports.

Pringle, a Middletown native, remembers events like All American Weekend, which for decades brought fireworks to Middletown before it folded in 2006.

“I can remember when there was always something to do in this town, and there isn’t anymore. We’re just trying to provide another event like the Broad Street Bash on Wednesdays,” Pringle said.

Other cruise-ins will be held June 20, July 4, July 18, Aug. 22 and Sept. 5. All events are held rain or shine. Admission for the cruise-ins is $7 per car with up to four people and $10 per car with eight or more people.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.