The sprawling Downtown Automobile Present crammed Sixth Avenue and adjoining aspect streets with 1000’s of traditional — and some newer — automobiles. Organizers estimated some 10,000 folks from throughout the area attended the free annual occasion open to the general public.

Tony Pontillo, the automobile present’s essential organizer, mentioned Saturday “couldn’t have gone higher” and credited report turnout to the “stunning” climate.

“Now we have a bit of over 2,000 present vehicles this yr and we usually run about 1,300, 1,400 or 1,600 vehicles,” mentioned Pontillo, who has been engaged on the present for over 20 years. He mentioned it takes 10 months of planning and dozens of volunteers to make the occasion pop. “We’re on the most.”

“We run this present so everyone’s completely satisfied after they come down,” Pontillo mentioned. “It makes folks completely satisfied. Now we have individuals who come from totally different states and even Canada.”

Pontillo mentioned the Cruise-In grows in reputation annually, which is nice information for brick-and-mortar Downtown companies who he mentioned expertise a pointy rise in gross sales.

“The eating places pay taxes and need to make some more money,” Pontillo mentioned.

Pontillo was shocked with a plaque from Kenosha Traditional Avenue Machines for his “excellent service, help and dedication” to the group.

Kenosha Police “Officer Pleasant” Tyler Cochran met and chatted with locals, bought raffle tickets and provided cookies to youngsters.

“I believe this is likely one of the finest occasions that we have now in our Downtown space,” Cochran mentioned. “There’s a pleasant breeze and everybody appears to be having fun with themselves right here.”

Jennifer Arzt, of Nice Prairie, introduced her “Little Pink,” her 1965 Rambler American convertible.

“We drive it via the summer season and we like cruising down by the lake on a pleasant night time,” Arzt mentioned. “All people has a Rambler story. While you come to one among these exhibits, folks will come as much as you and so they’ll praise your automobile and let you know a Rambler story from the ‘60s.”

Arzt mentioned she’s been concerned with the Downtown Automobile Present for some 15 years.

Arzt mentioned Pontillo “does a superb job” organizing the occasion and “hope he continues.”

“It’s successful,” Pontillo mentioned. “There’s no excuse to not be Downtown for the weekend. There’s loads to do down right here this weekend. … It is a optimistic occasion. “

Sandi Correa, of Crystal Lake, Sick., drove as much as Kenosha in her purple 1967 Dodge Coronet for the automobile present.

“We come to this occasion yearly,” Correa mentioned. “We wouldn’t miss this. We adore it. We go to a lot of automobile exhibits and for sure this is likely one of the finest ones. We additionally love Kenosha’s harbor and environment. It’s actually good. It’s only a very satisfying time.”