The Sunset Cruisers are gearing up for another season of cruise-ins in Owensboro, continuing a long-standing tradition that dates back nearly four decades.
Formed in 1988, the local car club has remained active in the community with a mix of cruise-ins, car shows, and other automotive events. Today, the group includes about 35 active members and continues to draw participants from across the region.
“We do cruise-ins now, six a year, starting in May and running through October,” said club spokesman Stephen McNatton. “We’ve done a little bit of everything over the years.”
The monthly cruise-ins will be held at Owensboro Community & Technical College on the second Saturday of each month. Events run from 4 to 8 p.m. from May through September, and from 3 to 7 p.m. in October.
Each event features a different theme, though all makes and models are welcome.
“We don’t limit it to one type of car,” McNatton said. “Some of the newer cars are just as nice, fast, and beautiful. It’s for everybody.”
This year’s schedule includes:
- May 9 — Trucks
- June 13 — Ford
- July 11 — GM
- August 8 — Mopar
- September 12 — Modern muscle
- October 10 — British
The cruise-ins are designed to be more relaxed than traditional car shows, allowing participants to showcase their vehicles while visitors walk through and interact.
“You sit, open your hood, open your doors, and everybody goes by and admires your car or truck,” McNatton said. “You don’t have to sit there all day like some of the old car shows.”
In addition to the vehicles, the events include awards, door prizes, food, and giveaways. The club also offers drawings specifically for women, something McNatton said helps make the events more inclusive.
“We’re unique in the fact that we have ladies-only drawings,” he said. “We try to have something for everybody.”
The venue provides shaded areas and access to indoor restrooms, which McNatton said has helped improve the overall experience, especially during the hotter summer months.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the cruise-ins regularly attracted up to 400 vehicles per month. While attendance dipped in recent years, McNatton said interest in car culture remains strong.
“Car culture is still going strong,” he said. “Whether it’s an old car or a new car, everybody’s involved. The age groups are spread out — it suits everybody.”
The club is also introducing a new weather policy this year. If a Saturday event is canceled due to rain, it will be rescheduled for Sunday afternoon.
While the club has evolved over the years, including moving away from judged car shows to more casual cruise-ins, its mission has remained the same — bringing people together through a shared passion for vehicles.
“We’re just trying to share it with everybody,” McNatton said.
