Cruisin' Through Time Car Show returns Sunday

After a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Mason County Historical Society's annual Cruisin' Through Time Car Show returns from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday on West Railroad Avenue from First to Seventh streets in downtown Shelton.

The group Shelton Downtown Merchants is teaming with the nonprofit to host the event. The owners of the vehicles register from 8 to 10 a.m., and the judging begins at 10 a.m. The entry fee is $20. More than 25 awards will be given.

The car show has traditionally been the biggest annual fundraiser for the Mason County Historical Society. Formed in 1969, the nonprofit group operates a museum at 427 W. Railroad Ave.

The group had started planning for the car show's return this summer, but "we had a major shift on our board - most of the talent that produced the show left the board," said Jann Goodpastor, president of the group. "We needed help."

She added, "Amy (Cooper) stepped in, and she's just so great at event planning."

Shelton Downtown Merchants are excited to team with the Historical Society to stage the event, said Cooper, the group's president.

"We're hoping to come back at full capacity, come back with a boom," Cooper said. The "new twist" is a greater involvement by downtown businesses, she said.

"I think people are very excited for events in general ... People are excited to have things to do again," Cooper said.

As many as 400 vehicles have been showcased at previous shows. Car shows "appeal to a great variety of people, young and old, women and men," Goodpastor said.

"I think a lot of people identify personally with their cars." she said.

Sunday's car show is the association's 20th. Goodpastor said her group is working on hosting the 21st next year closer to its usual time, in June.