Iconic Pismo Beach car show is returning for its 40th anniversary. What to know
Pismo Beach’s iconic annual car show is returning for its 40th anniversary to kick off the summer in style.
The Classic at Pismo Beach started in the summer of 1986 after the Pismo Beach Improvement Group looked to bring in more money to fund local projects, turning to downtown businessman Paul Bailey, according to a 2018 history of the show by local historian Effie McDermott.
Held June 28 and 29, 1986, the original show was put on by volunteers and attracted 300 entries along with an estimated 10,000 visitors, according to McDermott’s history of the show.
Forty summers later, the event now draws more than a thousand classic and collector cars and around 170,000 car enthusiasts to downtown Pismo Beach, according to the event’s organizers.
This year’s rendition of the event will be held May 29-31 in the streets of downtown Pismo Beach, according to a news release from the show’s organizers.
Visitors can expect a charity auction benefiting the Just Cruzin’ Life Foundation, live music, a beer garden and the Official Classic Cruise through downtown Pismo Beach from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday.
The top 10 best-of-show vehicles will receive the exclusive “Gold Class” designation following the Show and Shine event, in which classic cars will judge the streets to be judged on their interiors, engine compartments, undercarriages and overall detailing, according to the release.
Admission is free to all attendees, though vehicle registration is required for all show participants.
What’s the car show scheduled in Pismo Beach?
The full schedule for the event is now available to the public:
Thursday, May 28
- 6-8 p.m.: VIP cocktail hour at Vespera Resort. BBQ dinner, beer & wine, raffles and live music. Tickets are available at justcruzin.com.
Friday, May 29
- 10-5 p.m.: Beer garden and vendors open
- Noon-4 p.m: Live music
Saturday, May 30
- 10 a.m.: Opening ceremony with Color Guard
- 1-3 p.m.: Charity auction, Sponsor Lot Stage
- 6-8 p.m.: Official Classic Cruise begins at Price Street and Pomeroy Avenue (cruise stickers required)
Sunday, May 31
- 9 a.m.: Show and Shine begins
- 11 a.m.: Awards ceremony, Sponsor Lot
- 1-3 p.m.: Live music
