An organizer of the Eighth Annual Relaxin’ in the Park auto show coming to Festus said spectators once again can expect to see hundreds of entries, including vehicles not necessarily displayed at similar events.
Relaxin’ in the Park is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 15, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at Larry G. Crites Memorial Park, 2232-2292 Old. Hwy. A. May 17 is a rain date, if needed.
Matt Jones said last year’s event drew 486 vehicles.
“We are expecting at least that,” Jones said. “Actually, as long as the weather is good, over 500. People can expect to see anything from an old classic car all the way up to pro street cars – like with the big fat tires in the back, lifted trucks. So, really, anything with wheels and a steering wheel, it’s there.
“That one thing we definitely attract is, we have six-figure builds,” he said. “Plenty of them. You’re not going to see that at your normal car show.”
The cost to enter a vehicle in the show is $40. There is no fee for spectators to attend.
“We have people (bring vehicles) from 19 different states and Canada,” he said. “One’s coming from Canada. We’ve got that pre-registered.
“We expect somewhere around 10,000 spectators from Thursday to Saturday. We’ll get people there Thursday, when we’re setting up. Sunday is a rain date. We hope we don’t have to use that.”
He said the volume and variety of vehicles at Relaxin’ in the Park keeps bringing people back.
“I would say, just because of the stuff we bring in,” he said. “The different vehicles aren’t your normal stuff. And, the following we have, with everyone knowing they’re going to come to a good show. We get a good variety of vehicles. They’ll see stuff they don’t normally see.”
The event also features vendors, a kids coloring contest, games and a raffle.
“We have four food vendors, with a variety of different styles of food,” Jones said. “The product vendors will be car-oriented.”
He explained another planned activity, vehicle limbo, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday.
“With vehicle limbo, there’s a lot of low riders (customized cars made to ride extremely low to the ground),” Jones said. “So, we have limbo for them. They’ll go as low as they can. We keep moving the stick down. The lowest vehicle wins. It’s a low rider thing.”
A Relaxin’ in the Park vehicle parade is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday that travels on Festus Main Street. Staging begins at 6 p.m. at Sunset Park, 816 Parkview Drive, near Festus City Hall.
He said Relaxin’ in the Park donates a sizable amount of the funds it generates to charity, particularly Jeffco Shop with a Cop.
“We love them,” he said. “We hold enough money back to pay for our show next year, to cover our expenses. At that point, we figure out what we can donate.”
Jones said Relaxin’ in the Park came to Festus in 2022 and Crites Park has become the event’s home.
“I absolutely love it,” he said of the location. “And, not just the park, but the city of Festus is our home. We love it and everything they do for us. The city of Festus has been amazing. “
The Festus Tourism Commission awarded a $5,000 grant to Relaxin’ in the Park organizers to help with this year’s show.
For more information, go to the Relaxin’ in the Park page on Facebook.