Cars & Coffee and Oblivion Avenue are pulling into the River District
Owen Sound’s River District will shift into high gear on Saturday, September 19, as timeless classics, retro rides and automotive history take centre stage. From coffee-fueled conversations among car enthusiasts to an immersive 1980s and 1990s throwback experience, the day offers residents and visitors a chance to celebrate distinctive vehicles, local culture and the enduring thrill of the open road.
Cars & Coffee will feature a diverse group of vehicles 25 years and older, which celebrate the automotive enthusiast’s spirit. Proud owners of beautiful collectible vehicles will showcase their prized automobiles and gather with like-minded car lovers for a cup or two of coffee. Cars & Coffee will take place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on 2nd Avenue East, between 7th Street East and 10th Street East.
Oblivion Avenue is a taste of the annual OBLIVION Car and Culture Show — an immersive time-warp experience celebrating the cars, music, fashion and nostalgia of the 1980s and 1990s.
Come check out a gnarly lineup of era-defining vehicles, turn up the tunes and soak in the retro atmosphere. Dig out your best 80s or 90s threads and join us for a trip back in time!
Automotive Seminars will be hosted at the Historic Roxy Theatre starting at 12:30 p.m. and will include two seminars: "Origins and History of the Daytona Cobra Coupes presented by Peter Brock, moderated by Larry Holt of Multimatic" and "Mercedes-Benz: 140 Years of Innovation presented by Armin Gröger, Chief Corporate Archivist, Mercedes-Benz Heritage". Seminars require registration and is just $10 per ticket.
As part of the Cars & Coffee event, Owen Sound is proud to present the Owen Sound Fire Department #1 – 1923 American LaFrance fire engine. Originally the first motorized fire pumper in Owen Sound and Grey County, this fire engine took over 15 years to be restored by a dedicated group of volunteers in partnership with Grey Roots Museum.
During the event, contests for business windows and automotive people's choice awards will take place. We encourage everyone to get into the spirit and support the local shops and community when you can.
If you are in the River District on Friday, keep your eyes peeled for the Tour d'Elegance. A parade of participants' cars from the weekend's events will start at Cobble Beach and head south into Owen Sound, set to hit 2nd Avenue East at 10th Street East at approximately 10:45 a.m. The cars will drive south on 2nd Avenue East, past Harrison Park, before turning right onto County Road 18 and heading out toward Springmount.
To accommodate these exciting events, the following road closures will be in place:
- 2nd Avenue East will be closed on Saturday, September 19th, between 7th Street East and 10th Street East from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for Cars & Coffee.
- 1st Avenue West will be closed on Saturday, September 19th, between 8th Street West and 9th Street West from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Oblivion Avenue.
- All through intersections will remain open, and all businesses in the River District will remain accessible to patrons.
- Mayor Ian Boddy
- Oblivion Avenue and Cars & Coffee are free, family-friendly events as part of the Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival weekend.
- Some City road closures will take place to accommodate the events (see full release for details).
- This is the fourth year that we’ve welcomed Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival events in the River District.
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