Engines Roar Back: Put-in-Bay Car Show & Parade Celebrate Racing Heritage
Put-in-Bay’s streets come alive today as the annual Sports Car Races shift into high gear with the fan-favorite Car Show at Heineman’s Winery and the traditional parade around the island’s historic street course.
The car show runs from 1 to 3 PM at Heineman’s Winery, featuring nearly 300 vintage and historic vehicles, from classic MGs and Maseratis to Porsches and other sports cars spanning decades. Many participants even dress to match the era of their cars, adding to the throwback atmosphere.
At 4:30 PM, the event cars take to the streets for the Parade of Old Race Course, completing two laps around the same route once used during Put-in-Bay’s original road races of the 1950s and early 1960s. Beginning in 1952, those races ran through a 3.1-mile course that cut straight through the middle of downtown. Today’s parade brings that history back to life for spectators.
Robert Kansa, a committee member and longtime racer at Put-in-Bay, said the appeal is simple: “It’s something you’ve never seen before — real racing with genuine enthusiasm. It’s different, and it’s free to experience.”
With over 125 race and exhibition cars on the island and a community of 100% volunteers making it possible, today’s car show and parade are the centerpiece of a week that blends history, horsepower, and island charm.
