When Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. officials planned the first car show in September of 2014, the results were spectacular as the owners of more than 140 classic and antique cars, representing some of the finest sets of wheels to ever roll off the assembly lines in Detroit, brought their beloved vehicles to the showcase. The event attracted an enormous crowd to downtown Oxford.

According to Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. executive director Donna Hosler, officials are optimistic that the second annual car show on Sept. 4 will be even better—and bigger.

“The streets are going to be packed,” said Lisa Burns, who serves on the Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. committee planning the event. “We have great food vendors lined up. We have 60 cars signed up already. Our expectations are very high.”

The vintage cars and sports cars will obviously be the focal point of the event, but there will be food, music, and fun throughout the downtown. Hosler said that a band will likely be performing on the porch of the Oxford Hotel, and the winner of last year's top prize will be showcased in a reserved area.

Burns said that they hope to have between 160 and 180 cars, or more, entered into this year’s show. All registrants receive a magnetic dash plaque and are eligible for the Best of Show and Fan Favorite trophies that will be awarded during the car show. Additionally, those who enter the car show are eligible for a raffle for a mechanic’s toolbox with some tools from NAPA Auto Parts.

Plaques will also be awarded to the first, second, and third place finishers in six different categories: antique (cars built before 1950, both foreign and domestic); classic cars (cars built between 1950 and 1979, both foreign and domestic); hot-rods (obvious performance and body modifications); muscle cars (American cars built between 1965 and 1989); modern cars (1980 to present, both foreign and domestic); and sport compact/tuner (1980 to present, both foreign and domestic).

The first car show attracted car enthusiasts like Pete Hill, who entered his 1953 Chevy 210, which is a variant of the Chevrolet Belair, a car that he had when he was a teenager.

The event was popular with Oxford business owners, too. Jerome Rodio, the proprietor of J & K Slightly Touched, watched the cars roll in to town. He said at the time that seeing the stylish cars made him want to get behind the wheel of some of his favorites.

Burns said that anyone interested in entering the car show should do so as early as possible because it will ensure a prime location. The registration fee was $10 for anyone who signs up before Aug. 25 and $15 for registrations after that. Car owners can register on the day of the event, and organizers are planning to accommodate all those late entries.

“We will not turn anyone away,” Burns explained.

The car show runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This year’s event has a raindate of Sept. 11. Burns explained that a raindate was added at the request of numerous car owners because most won’t take their cars out for a show if there’s a chance of rain.

To register for the car show or for more information, email [email protected] or visit the Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. Facebook or website.