Whether it’s classic vehicles or contemporary cars, Medford Cruise will bring hundreds of automobiles to Medford’s Fichtner-Mainwaring Park to check out up close, culminating with the annual cruise through downtown to round out the event. 

Old school Chevrolet Corvettes, modern Ford Mustangs, Mopar vehicles and so many more cars are likely to pull up for the Rogue Valley’s biggest car show.

“It’s a pretty special event, that moment when 700 cars start rolling up and kids are parking cars from one end to another,” said Bill Maentz, board chair of the Medford Cruise Association. “It’s like an instant car city just happens and you look out from above and get to see all of that, and it’s just amazing.” 

Medford Cruise is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 13-14, with people coming from as far as Boise, Idaho, McKinleyville, California and Seattle, Washington. 

Registration and packet pickup for those showing their automobiles will be available between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. June 13. 

Participants pay $40 to get in the show, take part in the Downtown Cruise and receive a T-shirt, dashboard plaque and goodie bag and have a chance at winning a trophy after the judging portion of the show. 

The Saturday Show N’ Shine at Fichtner-Mainwaring Park features all the participating vehicles lined up for viewing from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with parking beginning at 8 a.m.

There will also be a selection of vendors at the Show N’ Shine selling food and drinks.

“We have room on the day of the show if (people) want to (enter their car) last minute,” Maentz said.

To round out the fun, the Downtown Cruise starts with cars lining up at 4:30 p.m. and cruising from 5 to 8 p.m. around downtown Medford. 

Hundreds of cars in many varieties will be at Medford Cruise, with last year’s event bringing in the highest number of vehicles to the show. 

“Our highest ever prior to last year was 629 cars, and last year was 706 so it’s become a big, little show,” Maentz said. “We have almost 300 that have registered this year so far, and that’s ahead of schedule.”

“We’ve been getting some really unique cars, which is really good,” he added. 

Medford Cruise is extra significant this year as organizers and participants will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the car show. 

“The whole thing started with a group of car guys who did a cruise the very first year downtown, and they raised $125 for charity that year,” Maentz said. “Last year, we (raised) over $600,000 lifetime, which was donated to local youth organizations giving support to kids.” 

Those organizations who receive the donations include local Boy Scout troops, the Recovery Cafe, Reclaiming Lives and three other groups. 

“The charity element of it is what makes it worth doing,” Maentz said. 

Members of local organizations which receive donations also play an active role in the car show, with a group of 150-plus volunteers helping to park the cars, sell T-shirts, assist with judging and more. 

The show is put on with a partnership between the Medford Cruise Association and city of Medford, and the city offers the park for free while also providing police officers and other assistance.

“They’re all hands on deck to keep us safe,” Maentz said. 

With 40 years of shows under their belts, organizers are still looking to grow and expand the show in the future. 

“If I had any wishes, I’d say that more of the ’80 and newer folks would come out and enjoy the show,” Maentz said. 

Medford Cruise previously was a seven-day show with 14 events scattered throughout prior to COVID, and organizers like Maentz are looking to bring that back in the future as well as wanting more classic and modern pickup trucks at the show. 

For more information or to sign up to participate in the Medford Cruise, visit medfordcruise.org.

Reach reporter James Sloan at james.sloan@rv-times.com.